Right Back In It.

It may have took till the second overtime to finally get the winner but the Norwich Merchants got back into their Schmalz Cup Semi Final series with Essex with a 2-1 win. Todd Kemp scored the winner at 27:59 of overtime as he tipped in a Chad Barclay pass over a sprawled Essex goalie Chris Zelko. Dan Beacon's shorthanded goal at 5:50 of the third to tie the game, Chad Barclay score Norwich's first goal in the first period. Cody Vinnai made 28 saves in the win. Game 4 goes Saturday night in Essex, game time is 7:oo.

Not over yet

The Essex 73's are up 2-0 in thier Schmalz Cup Semi Finals series with Norwich after a 4-3 win yesterday afternoon. In alot of people's minds Norwich is done, but I'll give you reasons why I say don't lose faith folks. Norwich has game 3 at home Friday night, they'll come out motivated wanting to get back in this series. Essex goalie Brenden Robitaille who didn't play in game 2 is reportedly out for the rest of the series with a blown out knee, and backup goalie Chris Zelko isn't that great and got lucky alot in game 2. Sure Essex is a good team but they are not invincible, they can be beaten and for the better part in game 2 Norwich was the better team, they can play with these guys, they've both been 1 goal games if you don't count the empty netter that Essex got in game 1. All they Norwich has to do is believe that they can win Friday night and anything can happen. Just have to believe folks.

Ugh.....

If not for referee Greg Campbell being a homer referee last night, perhaps Norwich would have had a better outcome than thier 3-1 loss in Essex last night. Both Essex goals were direct results of horrible penalty calls against Norwich. I would have thought that the OHA could find a referee that doesn't live in Essex or has relatives on the Essex coaching staff for a ONTARIO SEMI FINAL SERIES GAME!, it's not like there are any Jr B teams still playing down there. No wonder Essex is 28-0 in thier barn( yes literally a barn) when it seems like the ref is in thier back pocket.

Then There Were Four

Thier are now Four teams left to battle it out for the Schmalz Cup after Amherstview defeated Uxbridge last night. It now sets up the Semi Finals which both start Friday night.

Norwich Merchants vs Essex 73's

Regular Season Record:
Norwich 24-7-5, 1st in Niagara West, Niagara League Champs.
Essex 39-0-1, 1st in Great Lakes South Division, Great Lakes League Champs

Playoff Record:
Norwich 12-4, 7-2 at home, 5-2 on road.
Essex 12-1, 7-0 at home, 5-1 on road.

Key Players:
Norwich
Chad Barclay 7-19-26
Sean McLeod 10-11-21
Cody Vinnai 12-4, 1.69 GAA, 92.4 SPCT, 3 SO

Essex
Mike Dobric 7-13-20
Tanner Gallant 7-12-19
Brendan Robitaille 10-1, 2.19 GAA, 89.6, 2 SO

Series Outlook:
Look for Norwich to continue what they have done all during this playoff run, shut down the other teams best line, Norwich will be the best defensive team that Essex has played all year. Essex has a good defence as well but hasn't looked as air tight as it did during the regular season.

Norwich will win this series in 7 games.


Alliston Hornets vs Amherstview Jets

Regular Season:
Alliston Hornets 40-2, 1st in Georgian Mid Ontario League, Georgian Mid Ontario Champs.
Amherstview Jets 29-8-3, 2nd in Empire B League, Empire B League Champs

Playoff Record:
Alliston 12-2, 6-1 at home, 6-1 on the road.
Amherstview 12-3, 5-2 at home, 7-1 on the road.

Key Players:
Alliston
Kyle McDowell 5-18-23
Ryan Algar 8-14-22
Breton MacKinnon 6-2, 2.21, 90.2, 1 SO
Troy Doswell 6-0, 3.43, 85.6

Amherstview
Marshall Hubband 11-9-20
Brent Gilmour 6-12-18
Brennan Hoy 6-2, 3.38, 90.0
Zach Desousa 6-1, 2.66, 92.5, 1 SO

Series Outlook:

Alliston easily disposed of the Western League Champs Walkerton in 4 games, while Amherstview took 6 games to dispose of Uxbridge. Alliston has the better defence, and is better offensively. Amherstview pulled off a upset against Napanee to win the Empire League so don;t count them out.

Alliston in 6

Alliston-Amherstview Schedule

Game 1- Friday April 3 Amherstview at Alliston 7:30 pm
Game 2- Sunday April 3 Alliston at Amherstview 4:00 pm