NEWS

It doesn't get any better than a game seven in hockey....well actually, how about game seven, double-overtime!
(pictured - Newmarket Hurricanes captain Chris Chiste begins to celebrate seconds after Travis Dermott's point shot eluded Kingston netminder Charlie Finn in double-overtime - photo credit: Brian Watts/OJHL Images)

In what proved to be one of the best OJHL playoff series in recent memory, the Kingston Voyageurs and Newmarket Hurricanes finished off their best-of-seven North-East Conference Championship with an absolute classic as rookie defenceman Travis Dermott fired home the game-winner on the power play at 6:19 of the fifth period.

The hometown Vees came out firing on all cylinders in period one, outshooting the Hurricanes 17-7, but were held at bay by the continuously outstanding veteran backstop Matthew Wintjes, who would make 60 saves in the game to earn first star honours in the game.

Period two saw the tide turn slightly and although the shots were even in the period at 12 apiece, Newmarket was first on the board just over six minutes into the second frame as Ian Farrell finished off a three-on-one break for his fourth of the post-season.  A little over five minutes later with Josh Hicks serving one of five minor penalties called in the game, Justin Maiolino buried a power play marker top shelf over Finn to give the 'Canes a commanding 2-0 lead entering the final period of regulation play.

Kingston would pour it on again in the third with wave after wave of pressure, but were turned aside time-and-again by Wintjes.  With just under five minutes left in the game, Dylan Hutton was absolutely robbed by a scintillating save from the Newmarket netminder, but the rebound went straight to Junior Harris, who buried his eighth of the playoffs and give the standing room only crowd of 1,388 spectators a glimmer of hope.  That glimmer turned into a whole new game just 38 seconds later as Michael Casale got in alone and deked by Wintjes to knot the game at two.  As the clock ticked down, the buzz in the building was unmistakable and we were heading to game seven overtime.

The first OT period saw both teams have multiple chances to end the game, with David Savery firing one of the crossbar for the 'Canes and Aidan Wright hitting the post for the Vees.  Shots in the extra session were 16-12 in favour of Kingston.

Around the five minute mark of the second extra frame, a scramble around the Newmarket crease saw Wintjes hold-on just long enough for the whistle before the puck squeaked loose with Harris once again poking away.  Just seconds later after the face-off, Harris would take a costly boarding penalty behind the Hurricanes net, sending the visitors to the power play.  Newmarket would take control of the puck from the face-off and worked it around until an unexpected whistle was blown with a second puck entering the ice.  Unfazed by the incident, Maiolino won the draw and after working the puck back to back to the point, Dermott fired a laser that eluded Finn, breaking the hearts of the majority of fans in attendance.

Final shots in the contest were 62-43 in favour of Kingston and joining Wintjes, was Travis Dermott and Junior Harris with the second and third stars respectively.  Kudos to fans in both towns for their support throughout the series.

The North-East Conference Champion Newmarket Hurricanes now moves on to face the St. Michael's Buzzers in the best-of-seven OJHL Championship Series for the OHA Frank L. Buckland Trophy with game one taking place on Wednesday, April 10 at St. Michael's College School Arena with puck drop at 7:00pm.  The remainder of the schedule will be announced once available.

Of note, prior to the opening face-off, the OJHL will continue the tradition of holding a special pre-game ceremony honouring all of our 2012-13 award winners.

For the full game summary, please CLICK HERE.

North-East Conference Championship

Game One          Newmarket 2 @ Kingston 3 (OT) (KIN leads series 1-0)
Game Two          Kingston 0 @ Newmarket 1 (Series tied 1-1)
Game Three       Newmarket 1 @ Kingston 3 (Kingston leads series 2-1)
Game Four         Kingston 2 @ Newmarket 3 (Series tied 2-2)
Game Five          Newmarket 3 @ Kingston 2 (OT) (Newmarket leads series 3-2)
Game Six             Kingston 6 @ Newmarket 4 (Series tied 3-3)
Game Seven      Newmarket 3 @ Kingston 2 (2OT) (Newmarket wins series 4-3)