Casselman, Ontario – The Ottawa West Golden Knights defeated the Casselman Vikings 3-2 in game three of their best of seven Martin Division Semi-Final on Thursday night at the Jr. Brisson Sports Complex.
Ottawa West picks up their first playoff win against the Casselman Vikings since April of 2014. It’s also just their second win in Casselman since the 2015-16 season.
The Golden Knights jumped to a 3-0 lead in the second period. Jack Haymes scored his first career goal in his first game, Lucas Brown tipped in Andrew MacKinnon’s shot from the point and Sean Kearns scored on a crazy scramble in front. For the first time in the series, Ottawa West not only scored first, but had the lead.
At the 18:51 mark of the second period, Vikings defenseman Gabriel Rousselle fired a low shot from the point that got under the left bad of Golden Knights goaltender Michell Bown, making it a 3-1 game heading into the second intermission. In the third, Evan Landry made it a one-goal game with his first of the series, as his low shot from the point (again) hit a skate and went in.
Despite the late Vikings push, Ottawa West Golden Knights Head Coach Steve Sundin said that he was impressed with how his team held the lead.
“I thought we played really well defensively. We got the puck out when we had to and I thought we were really physical. They’re usually the more physical team, but we were more physical tonight.”
They now trail the series 2-1, with game four set for Saturday at home. Sundin says that this is a series changer.
“I think we flipped the momentum because I think it’s now in our court. We’re going home (for game four), and we play really well at home. We should get a big crowd and I’m hoping we will get the same performance that we had tonight.”
Jamer Jamer finished the night with two assists, giving him two goals and two assists (four-points) in this series. In the 3-2 game three win, he played alongside Jack Haymes and Noah Haymes, which helped his success.
“It’s always good to have brothers on the same line. Jack (Haymes) really stepped up, he had a hell of a game and it’s really good because me and (Noah) Haymes have a lot of chemistry, and Jack (Haymes) fit in perfect with us., said Jamer on the Golden Knights top line.
Sundin dressed 11-forwards and 7-defenseman in Thursday’s win, which is something he wants to do in game four.
“It gives us that extra rest, and I asked the boys if they liked it and they like it. That way I can double-shift Lucas Brown, Noah Haymes and Justin Jamer so I think it works for us,” said Sundin.
Ottawa West is still without top players Michael Gallivan, Max Bush and Sam Edwards. Their timetable to comeback is unknown.
