09-10 Midget AE - Saugeen Shores Midget A/E Storm sweep Huntsville in OMHA Playoffs... advance to next series against Listowel.
The Legault's Independent Midget A/E swept Huntsville in three straight games to eliminate them and advance to the next round against Listowel.
The Storm traveled to Huntsville for back-to-back games on January 23rd & 24th. The first game saw the Storm use a strong forecheck, with all players playing contributing to a solid team effort and Alex Wunderlich strong in goal. The home team opened the scoring with 5:49 left in the first period on a goal by Colin McDonald. The Storm stuck to their game plan and kept pressing and with only :27 seconds left in the period, Tyler D'Angelo fired home the tying goal on a set up from Darren Kimewon. The 2nd saw the Storm continue to force the play and were rewarded with two goals by Dan Kimewon, with an assist to Russ MacMillan. The 3rd period was much like the first with the Storm exerting a strong forecheck which kept the home squad off their game. Dan Kimewon fired home his 3rd of the contest on a solo effort with 6:46 left on the clock and this is how the game ended... a 4-1 victory and a one game series lead.
The Storm used a very similar game plan in game 2 as they hit the ice and never looked back, using a strong forecheck and close checking defensive strategy. The first period ended knotted in goose-eggs as Brody Farrish (Storm) and Andrew McNeil (Huntsville) kept the nets clean. Sam Vecchies fired home the ice-breaker to give the Storm the lead on a pass from Dan Kimewon and Cass Walden just :38 seconds into the 2nd frame. Vecchies notched his 2nd of the match, an unassisted marker with only 2:49 left in the period to give the Storm a 2 goal lead. Although a determined home squad tried valiantly, the Storm remained focused and continued to take the game to their opponent. This combined with good saves by Farrish when called on, earned him the shutout and the Storm a 2 games to 0 series lead.
Huntsville made the trek for game 3 on Saturday, January 30th at the Plex. The Storm executed a similar game plan that had proven successful in the first 2 games - a strong forecheck and a tight defence in front of goaltender Alex Wunderlich. The Storm struck first on a goal by Brannt Hall, assisted by Cody Coulson at the 7:10 mark of the first frame. Sam Vecchies fired home the 2nd of the afternoon for the storm on a set up from Zach Walker at the 3:17 mark, and Russ MacMillan fired home the 3rd marker of the contest(assisted by Brannt Hall and Sam Vecchies) with just 2:19 left in the period. Huntsville finally solved the Wunderlich puzzle at the 12:23 mark of the 2nd frame, however the Storm re-grouped and closed the door for the remainder of the period. At the end of 2 complete, the score remained - Storm 3, Huntsville 1. The 3rd frame featured end to end play that was fast and furious as Huntsville was on the ropes fighting for a chance to play game 4 and the Storm determined to sweep the series and send their opponents home (much to the chagrin of John Miller and the Colonial Motel!). With 8:23 left to play Zach Walker poked home the 4th Storm tally on a set up by linemates Sam Vecchies and Russ MacMillan. Final score Storm 4 - Huntsville 1. The Storm had swept the series and now move on to face Listowel in a best of 3 out of 5 series.
The Storm will host Listowel on Saturday, Feb 6th and then face-off in Listowel on Sat. Feb 13th and then host Listowel at the Plex on Sun. Feb 14th at 12:30 pm.