Admirals lead quarterfinal series 2-0 after weekend wins

Amherstburg’s Liam Thiessen (24) just misses a scoring chance during Sunday evening’s playoff game at the Libro Centre. The Admirals beat Mooretown 4-3 thanks to an overtime goal by Cory Leach and now lead the best-of-seven PJHL Stobbs Division quarterfinal series two games to none.

The fourth time is the charm for the Amherstburg Admirals.

After losing three times in overtime to the Mooretown Flags during the regular season, the Admirals are now in command of the Provincial Junior Hockey League (Jr. C) West Stobbs Division best-of-seven playoff series.

Veteran Cory Leach scored 4:39 into extra time Sunday night at the Libro Centre to lift Amherstburg to a 4-3 win and a 2-0 lead in the series.

“We had a lot of close games with them during the regular season. We know we have had leads on them and lost them but I think we are going to have a good series,” said forward Brady Drouillard.

Drouillard opened Sunday’s scoring less than five minutes into the game and the night before in the series opener, he connected in a 4-2 victory.

“You want to score nice and early on them and keep the pressure on. The earlier the better to make it easier on us.”

Drouillard is skating on the top line with captain Drew Booker, who had three assists Sunday night and two on Saturday, and Zach Vailancourt. During the regular season, the 6’4”, 190-lb winger had five goals in 28 shortened games due to an upper body injury.

In his last eight games he has nine points, including three goals in the post-season.

“It’s playoff hockey. There is more at stake. The puck is just finding me and we’re capitalizing.”

Besides his two tallies last Sunday, Stefan Djordjevic converted a perfect centering pass from Brett Jones but it was Leach who was the night’s hero when he beat John Chartrand.

After Admirals built a 3-1 lead in Game 2, the Flags battled back and had lots to celebrate when they tied it with 0.3 seconds left in the middle frame.

Not to be denied, the Admirals burst out of the dressing room for overtime and were on the bench before the Zamboni was off the ice.

“The boys were ready. We told them to shoot the puck. There are no bad shots in overtime. Leach has a great shot. He hit the cross bar on his shift before,” said Amherstburg head coach Zack Gervais.

Game 3 of the series goes Wednesday night in Mooretown and it’s back at the Libro Centre Friday for Game 4 with an 8 p.m puck drop. Game 5, if necessary, is in Mooretown this Saturday.

“We have to keep our foot on the gas. You have to win each period,” said Gervais.

Last Saturday’s 4-2 Game 1win in Mooretown was the first time since Oct. 7, 2023, that they won on the Flags’ home ice. Besides Drouillard and Djordjevic, Cale Marontate and Holden Wiley had goals for the Admirals. Amherstburg outshot Mooretown 60-44 in the first game of the series.

SLAPSHOTS: Leach got the yellow jacket as Player of the Game on Sunday and goalie Bennett Horrocks who made 42 saves in his playoff debut got the jacket Saturday. After two games, the Flags are 2-for-5 on the powerplay while the Addys are 0-for-4.

Admirals lead quarterfinal series 2-0 after weekend wins

By Fred Groves