Superlative Effort by Redmen Translates to Game 7 Tomorrow
For the past three games the Brooklin Redmen faced elimination each time they stepped on the floor. Their opponents had an imposing 3-0 series lead but uncertainty did not permeate the Redmen locker room; a 9-6 win tonight has forced a seventh and deciding game on Thursday at the Memorial Centre. Mike Poulin was solid as he faced 53 shots and his defensive mates were stellar by keeping the Lakers on the outside for much of the contest. Meanwhile, Dan Lintner with four goals led the way offensively. The Redmen welcomed Kyle Rubisch back to the fold and the Lakers, sans coach Mike Hasen, were without Corey Small and gave Evan Kirk the nod in net. The Redmen honoured the Oshawa Midget B Team who won the Provincials and were happy to welcome Town of Whitby Mayor Don Mitchell (former Redmen player) and Rhonda Mulcahy, Councillor, North Ward (life long Redmen fan and supporter) who performed the ceremonial face-off.
It was a three goal Redmen run to start the final frame that was the difference, as that stretched a 5-4 lead to 8-4 with seven minutes to play. The Lakers rattled off two goals in the latter half of the final frame but got no closer as Ryan Keenan netted a beauty from the top of the crease to give the Redmen the win and ensure their season continues.
Andrew Ecclestone and Ian Garrison were busy at the scorer's table providing penalty information, the Lakers got 29 minutes on nine penalties and the Redmen were assessed 18 minutes on nine. Each side scored short-handed but both teams displayed somewhat anemic power plays with the Redmen 1 for 6 and the Lakers 2 for 9.
Goal scorers for the Redmen were Lintner with four, two for Keenan and singles to Reilly O'Connor, Nick Chaykowsky and Adrian Sorichetti.
Redmen travel to Peterborough in less than 24 hours for game seven. In the other semi-final series the Oakville Rock won 9-7 in OT over the Six Nations Chiefs to win their first ever playoff series and punch a ticket to the MSL finals.