Flyers up 3-0 on Legionnaires

By C. Scott Holland

The Leamington Flyers have taken a commanding 3-0 lead in their first round playoff series against the Sarnia Legionnaires with a tight victory on Thursday here and a couple of big wins on the weekend.

For for most of the 872 fans in attendance at last Thursday night’s first playoff game against Sarnia, the final score of 4-3 for the Flyers was much closer than expected. Especially when at one juncture they held a convincing 2-0 lead and were bombarding Sarnia starting goalie Tyler Richard with plenty of shots.

“Pretty good game one. We came out strong and created a lot of chances,” said head coach Dale Mitchell. “But we just have to find a way to score on our chances a little more. We generated 61 shots which is good, however, we have to score and put teams away.”

The Flyers shot total was high as Sarnia’s Tyler Richardson finished the game by making 57 saves to Leamington’s Bryce Walcarius, who stopped 21.

The shifts over the first five minutes were tentative for both sides and the Flyers struck pay dirt three minutes into the contest when Billy Van Sumeren’s pass from the left corner into the slot found Ryan Clark. Clark released a shot on net that was directed past Richardson by Adrian Bosev.

At 9:05 some diligent work by the Flyers resulted in Gabe Piccolo gunning the second Flyers’ tally with a shot from the right side of the slot. However, the Legionnaires got a break near the 14-minute mark when Cameron Graham was left alone in the slot and rifled the puck past Walcarius.

In the second period, the Flyers got only one goal while firing 27 shots at Richardson. That lone tally came at 16:13 when Griffin Grundner laid the groundwork for Cody Brekke’s shot, which sailed over Richard’s glove and made it 3-1.

But from the drop of the puck in the third, Sarnia showed their grittiness as they refused to be subdued. They closed the gap and got back into the contest two minutes into the frame as Nathan Lavender tipped in a shot from the left side while near the post. Suddenly it was 3-2 and an intense battle to see who would score the next important goal.

The Flyers notched that all-important goal when Gabe Piccolo’s pass to Ryan MacPherson was deftly redirected into the Sarnia net at 13:25.

With 2:15 left on the clock and a faceoff in the Flyers’ end zone Sarnia called a timeout. When play resumed, Sarnia had lifted Richardson for an extra attacker and at 18:56 tabbed an extra attacker goal to cut the lead again to one goal.

Leamington held Sarnia at bay during the final minute and got a 4-3 win to go ahead one in the best of seven series.

The Flyers took total control of the series after winning game two 6-0 in Sarnia then returning home for a Sunday evening contest which they won 7-2 in front of 629 fans.

For half the contest in Sarnia on Saturday night, the Flyers and Legionnaires were knotted at 0-0. The Flyers’ fireworks began while the defense shut down the Legionnaires. Starting goalie Bryce Walcarius earned

the shutout by halting 15 shots, while Sarnia’s Tyler Richardson faced 48 which included the six Flyers’ markers.

Billy Van Sumeren’s hattrick led the Flyers’ scoring parade, while Adrian Bosev, Owen Holmes and Griffin Grundner fired one apiece.

At home on Sunday for 40 minutes, the Legionnaires were within striking distance of the Flyers but the third period was the difference as the locals potted three goals to win 7-2.

Leamington led 3-1 then 4-2 before putting the game away in the third. Boe Piroski made 10 saves and allowed a penalty shot goal but had little action throughout the game. His counterpart — Sarnia’s Ethan Everaert

— was bombarded by 67 Flyers shots and stopped 60 of them.

The Flyers’ goal bonanza was led by Hayden Reid who netted two, while teammates Anthony Ciaramitaro, Ryan MacPherson, Connor MacPherson, Owen Holmes and Griffin Grundner fired one apiece.

Should the Flyers finish their series on Tuesday night, the next series would not start until Thurs. Mar. 16. Keep informed via local media and the GOJHL website.

Schedule: Thurs. Mar. 9 game 5 in Leamington at 7:10 pm (if necessary). Sat. Mar. 11 game 6 in Sarnia at 7:10 pm (if necessary).

Sun. Mar. 12 game 7 in Leamington (if necessary).

Connor MacPherson (25) celebrates the Flyers’ fourth goal as brother Ryan MacPherson (who scored) circles the Sarnia net. MacPherson’s goal stood as the game-winner as the Flyers nipped Sarnia 4-3. Scott Holland photo