The Stouffville Spirit will begin play in the second round of the Ontario Junior Hockey League playoffs beginning next weekend.
The Spirit completed a four-game sweep of the Wellington Dukes in the first round, courtesy of a 6-2 win in Wellington Friday night.
The teams tied in the OJHL’s regular season standings with the Spirit earning home ice thanks to a better goals for/against percentage. Online pundits predicted a six- or seven-game series, but the Spirit outscored the Dukes 20-6. including a pair of Kyle Downey shutouts that opened the best-of-seven.
The Spirit’s opponent and the team’s second-round schedule is still to be determined. The Haliburton County
Huskies, who eliminated the St. Michael’s Buzzers with a 1-0 win in Toronto Sunday afternoon, are also into the second round in the OJHL East Conference. The Trenton Golden Hawks and Toronto Jr. Canadiens can complete the field with victories Sunday night.
Second-round series will be completed between March 21 and April 3.
For updates, go to: www.ojhl.ca
THE SCORES
Saturday, March 8, Spirit 3, Wellington 0
Riley Pope, Griffen Boyle and Josh Bonnyman had the goals in front of a crowd of 500 in Stouffville.
Sunday, March 9, Spirit 6, Wellington 0
Max Davidson, David Paglia, Julian Demiglio, Zack Corte, Griffen Boyle and Josh Bonnyman – who also had two assists – scored for the Spirit, who held period leads of 2-0 and 3-0 in Wellington.
Thursday, March 13, Spirit 5, Wellington 4 (2OT)
A slow start was erased by an epic finish in front of 600 fans at the Stouffville Arena.
Zack Corte roofed the game-winner 4:16 into the second overtime, much to the delight of the big crowd
The Spirit trailed 3-1 with 10 minutes to play. Evan Breckles scored with 12 seconds left to send the game to overtime.
Jacob Martineau, David Paglia and Julian Demiglio had the other goals.
Friday, March 14, Spirit 6, Wellington 2
The Spirit rode special teams and rookie Masen Johnston’s 24-save game to the series-ending win in Prince Edward County
Lachlan Wells and Riley Pope scored shorthanded. David Paglia and Peter Smith added power-play goals. Wells finished with two goals and an assist. Griffen Boyle had the other goal while fellow rookie Josh Bonnyman added two assists..
MEDIA
All Spirit games are broadcast on 102.9FM whistlefm.ca radio and FloHockey TV.
https://www.flohockey.tv/leagues/10826657-ontario-junior-hockey-league-ojhl (subscription required).
Chris Mayberry and Jason Rehel anchor broadcasts from the Stouffville Arena.
Spirit This Week is sponsored by Farmer Jack’s in Stouffville.
