ORILLIA MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
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The Rama First Nation Minor Bantam Orillia Terriers defeated the Georgina Blaze in quarter-final Ontario Minor Hockey Assocation action.
In Game 1, both teams came out with a great deal of intensity, which equated to multiple chances for both. Mid-way through the contest Cameron Dooley set up a streaking Connor Varley who buried the puck past the Georgina goalie to put the Terriers ahead by a goal.
After immense pressure by the Terriers, the Blaze defender was penalized, setting up a power play chance that Orillia took full advantage of. Cameron Weisar, on a pass from Eric Taher and Marcus Petroff, buried a powerplay goal giving them a 2-0 lead. It remained 2-0 until just under five minutes left in the game when Georgina managed to put one past Orillia’s Ryker Jacobs. Orillia outworked and outskated the Blaze to hold onto the 2-1 victory.
In Game 2, Orillia travelled to the Sutton Arena trying to extend their series lead. Orillia came out flying, putting tons of pressure on the Blaze but were unable to capitalize.
A late first-period penalty led to a Georgina powerplay, where the Blaze fired a screened shot past Connor Sampson in net to take an early lead. In the second period, the Terriers were able to score on their own powerplay when Hunter McLaughlin raised one past the Blaze goalie. Petroff registered the lone assist on the goal.
The teams would trade chances for the rest of the game until under two minutes left, an Orillia penalty gave Georgina the fire they needed. The Blaze scored, winning the contest 2-1.
Orillia hosted the Blaze for the third game, which found the Terriers still carrying most of the play in the series. Orillia jumped to an early lead on a Varley goal. Assists on the goal went to Jordan Blunt and Nate Fogarty.
Georgina didn’t have an answer for the forechecking of the Terriers. Georgina was fighting for the tie at moments during the game, especially the last three minutes, but Ryker Jacobs and the Terriers kept the puck from entering the home net. Orillia took the game 1-0.
Game 4 was in Sutton where Orillia was looking to take the series. TheTerriers dominated the first period with goals from Weisar (unassisted) and a powerplay marker off the stick of Taher from Weisar and Varley.
Orillia pressured the Blaze all game and only surrendered one Blaze powerplay tally late in the game. Jacobs backstopped the Terriers to their 2-1 win, and earned this squad’s first-ever OMHA semi-final appearance.
The Terriers battle Quinte West next in the OMHA semi-finals. Game 1 is set for 9 p.m. at Rotary Place. Go Terriers!
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