By: Ellie Hazelwood
The Ottawa West Golden Knights kicked off the playoffs at the Barbara Ann Scott Arena, Monday, March 2, against the Ottawa Junior Canadians.
The Golden Knights unfortunately fell short, 6-2, but there were still glimmers scattered throughout the game.
Max Shewfelt hit the back of the net, just three minutes into the first period. Seamus Lockhart scored in the third on the power play.
The Canadians played a physical game, but the Knights kept their heads up, and avoided getting involved with the dirty stuff.
“We expected their physical play,” Antonio Zito said. “They came out of the room pretty physical. We tried to move pucks quicker, make sure our heads were always up, and that we knew where the guys were.”
It was a tough loss, but the boys fought hard, and stayed strong, despite the challenges throughout the game.
The Knights were back at it the next day, at the Earl Armstrong Arena. They fell 6-3, but there were still some shining moments for the boys in the game.
Justin Murdoch nailed one on the power play in the first, Gavin McCarthy scored in the second, and Dom Lemieux got a PP goal in the third.
The Golden Knights weren’t going to let the first two games bring them down. They shook off the losses, and came out with a fire under them on Thursday, back at the Barbara Ann Scott Arena.
The Canadians got the first goal, but the Knights responded quickly, as Murdoch hit the back of the net to tie it.
Later in the period, call up Andrew Colley scored on the power play. Will McCulligh nailed one in the dying seconds of the first period, to put the boys up 3-1.
McCarthy got his second of the playoffs, and the score was 4-2 at the end of the period.
Murdoch got another one on the power play in the third, and Connor Cole snagged an empty-netter.
Things got chippy at the end of the third, but the Golden Knights stayed strong, and out of the dirty stuff, for the most part.
Carter Overhoff popped off in net, making 44 saves to help keep the boys in it, and ahead.
“The save in the second period was a turning point for me,” Overhoff said. “They were on the power play, and I made that cross crease low pad save. It was still 4-2 at the time, if they score that, then it’s a close game. That really kept the momentum in our favour.”
Goalies and defensemen work together, and the defensemen were strong in front of the net.
“The defense played a really good game,” Overhoff said. “They were all out blocking shots, and covering pass(ing) lanes. They made good plays to help get the puck out. I was really happy with that, tonight.”
It was a great game, and a big win in the playoffs, for the Ottawa West Golden Knights.
The Golden Knights were at the Earl Armstrong arena once again, on Saturday night. The game turned out to be an interesting and unfinished one.
Everything went well during the first period, with no score. Issues arose at intermission though, before the start of the second period.
The Zamboni broke down, and ended up leaking oil on the ice. They tried looking for a mechanic to fix the Zamboni, but no one was able to come.
The game was cancelled and the schedule was revamped to accommodate.
This week was a playoff journey filled with ups and downs, but it was overall a good week, with many glimmers for the Ottawa West Golden Knights.
