Wheatley sweeps Admirals from PJHL Stobbs Division playoffs

By Ron Giofu

The season is over for the Amherstburg Admirals. The Admirals were swept by the Wheatley Sharks last week in their PJHL Stobbs Division quarterfinal series. The two teams played four games in five days, starting last Wednesday night and concluding this past Sunday night, with the Sharks winning all four games.

Wheatley won Game 4 6-2 Sunday night at the Libro Centre. Shannon Olson scored early for the Sharks but powerplay goals midway through the period by Braeden Burke and Stefan Djordjevic put the Admirals up 2-1. Kyle Greene tied the game for Wheatley before the period was out and put the visitors ahead 3-2 in the second period. Blake McNally, Krisian Pelling and Devin St. Pierre scored in the third period for Wheatley, the latter being a shorthanded empty net goal.

“They were the better team,” Admirals interim co-coach Mark Turner said of Wheatley. “They capitalized on their chances. Wheatley was excellent on the powerplay. They were excellent all series.”

Turner said the Admirals had two powerplay goals Sunday night but the Sharks’ special teams were good in the series overall.

“They have a good team over there,” he said. “They were the better team.”

Turner added the coaches were proud of the effort the Admirals put in.

“From last year to this year, our kids never quit,” he said. “They played hard right until the end.”

It is too soon to tell how many will return next season, Turner added, added they have to adapt to this season being over.

In Game 3 last Saturday afternoon, the Admirals stayed in the contest and fell just short, losing 6-5 in Wheatley. The one-goal loss came despite the fact they were outshot by Wheatley 57-22.

The teams were tied at 2-2 after one period and Wheatley had a 4-3 lead after two periods. Drake McGowan, Stefan Djordjevic, Stefan Jacobs, Kyle Bleau and Landon Prince had the Amherstburg goals in the third game.

Greene had a hat trick for the Sharks in Game 3, with other goals coming from Matt Carvalho, Jak Theissen and Braedon Caetano.

Game 2 was a 5-2 loss for the Admirals on their home ice last Thursday night. Amherstburg trailed 2-0 after one period but tied it in the second period on goals by Mitchell Demelo and Stefan Djordjevic. The Sharks took the lead back before the period was out and added two more in the third period, including an empty net goal.

Thiessen scored twice for Wheatley, including the game winner, with Carvalho, Caetano, and Kristian Pelling also scoring for the Sharks.

Amherstburg outshot Wheatley 44-32 in Game 2.

“We played very good hockey,” Turner said after Game 2. “What we’re learning is you can’t keep taking penalties. Wheatley is very good on the powerplay.”

Not scoring on a 5-on-3 powerplay was a key for the Admirals, as Turner believed that could have shifted momentum last Thursday night.

Turner added the Admirals “played very well” in Game 2 and registered nearly 50 shots.

The first game of the series was last Wednesday night and was all Wheatley. The Sharks won the game

7-0 and outshot the Admirals 56-33. Wheatley led 2-0 after one period and scored four in the second period and another in the third period to pull away. Carvalho scored twice for Wheatley while Thiessen, Sylvain Lessard, St. Pierre, Pelling and Caetano also scored for Wheatley, who joins Essex and Lakeshore as teams that advance. The Mooretown-Blenheim series is still going as of press time.

“I would call this a trying season,” said Turner. “We had our ups and downs early.”

Turner said head coach Paul Bortignon’s resignation was a blow midway through the season, praising Bortignon as a person and a coach. The Admirals adapted and played well in the second half of the season.

“Come playoff time, we just met a better team,” he said. “I’m proud of our players. They competed from start to finish. They can hold their heads up high.”