The Woolwich Wildcats got off to a fast start in Saturday’s opening clash of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) novice A championship series. The visitors jumped out to a quick 3-0 first-period lead and never looked back, skating to a well-deserved 6-3 victory against the Moonstone Mechanical Orillia Terriers.
For long stretches, the Wildcats dominated play and seemed a step ahead of their local rivals. The visitors brought many fans with them for the opening weekend of the provincial championship and the glass around the arena was adorned with many Wildcats posters and banners.
While Orillia got behind early, they never gave up. Josh May had a strong game for the home side and when he scored his second of the game on a determined wrap-around play in the second period, he pulled his team to within two goals at 4-2.
However, on the ensuing shift, Woolwich converted on an odd-man rush and made it 5-2 with a goal that took some of the wind from the Terriers’ sails. Eric Shelswell tallied a third-period goal, but two penalties served to slow the Terrier comeback.
Coming into Saturday’s contest at Rotary Place, the local novices had been almost unbeatable. The hard-working squad had earned an impressive 24-1-3 regular season record before ousting Newmarket, Barrie and Innisfil in their three playoff series; they went undefeated in those games.
But Woolwich was too fast for the Terriers, who will have to play much better Sunday to knot the series. Game 2 will be played Sunday at Rotary Place at 2:40 p.m.
The series shifts to the Dan Snyder Memorial Arena in Elmira for the next three games: March 23, 24 and 25. If a sixth game is necessary, it will be back in Orillia March 31 at 4:40 p.m.