Admirals and 73’s even at a win apiece after two games

Amherstburg goalie Bennett Horrocks stops a shot from Essex’s Austin Guevremont in Sunday’s game, won by the Admirals 4-3.

Playoffs are a lot different than the regular season and the Amherstburg Admirals proved that Sunday night.

At the Libro Centre, the Admirals built up a 4-1 lead and hung on to edge the Essex 73’s 4-3 to even the best-of-seven Provincial Junior Hockey League (Junior C) West Stobbs Division semi-final series at a game each.

Essex won the opener 6-3 Friday night on their home ice. Game 3 went Tuesday in Essex after this issue of the River Town Times went to press. After that, it’s back to the Libro Centre for Game 4 this Thursday and in Essex on Friday night (March 13).

“We’ve got no quit in the (dressing room) and we got the first one tonight which helped us out,” said forward Zack Vaillancourt.

During the regular season, the 73’s won all six games against the Admirals. They opened the post-season with four straight wins over the Walpole Island Wild and had not lost a game since Dec. 19. With an .893 win record they have been ranked number one in the PJHL all year.

Stefan Djordjevic opened the scoring for the Admirals last Sunday and led the Admirals with two goals and an assist. He was outstanding both offensively and gave out several huge hits.

Without a doubt the best player on the ice for either side was Amherstburg rookie goalie Bennett Horrocks who made 42 saves including 19 in the first period.

It was an extra sweet victory for Horrocks, who started the season in Essex before coming over in a trade.

“It made me want it more,” he said of the win. “I wanted to play better.”

The game became physical late in the first and into the second periods and both Horrocks and Essex goalie Tomas Kniaziew were pressured in their creases.

“I just focused on the next shot and not retaliated. The minute you retaliate you give the other team a chance to score so you just have to keep your cool.”

Admirals explosive forward Cory Leach burst up the middle for a goal, Djordjevic got another and captain Drew Booker scored what would be the eventual game winner.

Essex battled back and got goals on the night from Carter Dembinski, Gabe Barrette and Drew Ferenc.

“We have a lot of heart, a lot of compete. Our guys never give up,” said Amherstburg head coach Zack Gervais.

In the opener last Friday night, the Admirals trailed 4-1 but came back to make it 4-3 at one point. Essex went on to win 6-3 including a late empty netter. Djordjevic had a pair of goals for the visitors with the other from Cooper Bulmer.

“The number one thing we tell our guys is that we don’t care if you make a mistake, we just want a 100 percent effort,” said Gervais.

SLAPSHOTS — Former Admirals forward Dallas Kelly had a pair of goals on Sunday as the Lakeshore Canadiens beat Blenheim 4-0 in the other division semi-final… After eight playoff games, Stefan Djordjevic leads the Admirals with 11 goals.

Admirals and 73’s even at a win apiece after two games

By Fred Groves