Welcome back, Zack Corte.
Trailing 3-1 to the Pickering Panthers in their best-of-seven Ontario Junior Hockey League playoff series, the Stouffville Spirit were in must-win territory.
Cue the return of Corte, who hadn’t played since being injured in a regular season game in Trenton five weeks ago.
He didn’t miss a beat.
Corte, playing in his fourth and final season with the Spirit, was a man on a mission at the Stouffville Arena Sunday afternoon.
The 20-year-old who is committed to Carleton University in Ottawa scored the game-winning goal and came close on other occasions during a 2-1 Spirit win in front of 500-plus fans. He was named player of the game
Linemate Jacob Martineau had staked the Spirit to a 1-0 lead. Hudson Armstrong and Logan Sitlani assisted on both goals. Both were scored on the power play during the first period.
Hayden Sabourin was outstanding in the Spirit goal, making 27 saves. The Pickering goal came with 1:48 remaining in regulation.
Game 6 in the East Conference semifinal series will be played Tuesday (3:30) in Pickering. Game 7, if necessary, would go Thursday (7:30) back in Stouffville.
The Newmarket Hurricanes lead the Trenton Golden Hawks 3-2 in the other East semifinal. They meet again Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in Newmarket.
Collingwood and Toronto will play for the West title.
NOTES
While being escorted back to the ice surface for a photo with the player of the game belt (see photo), Corte was serenaded with applause and cheers from a minor hockey team preparing for a game.
Spirit alumni in attendance Sunday included Kyle Downey, Odaro Ewere, David Paglia and Julian Demiglio.
Armstrong has 16 points, good for third place in OJHL playoff points.
Congrats, Clippers! While the Spirit were playing Sunday, Stouffville’s U14AA team was winning the OMHA championship in Whitby.
