By: Ellie Hazelwood
The Ottawa West Golden Knights continued their playoff run in a replay of game four on Monday, March 9, at the Barbara Ann Scott Arena.
The Golden Knights unfortunately fell 7-3, but there were still lots of positive moments throughout the game.
Justin Murdoch tied the score for the Knights, a minute after the Ottawa Junior Canadians got their first of the game.
Antonio Zito hit the back of the net in the dying seconds of the first period, so the score remained tied, but at 2-2 now, at the end of the first.
The second period consisted of three goals for the Canadians, but the Golden Knights got another goal four minutes into the third, as Thomas Dickey scored.
It was a tough loss, but the boys didn’t let it bring them down. The Knights were playing at the Earl Armstrong Arena.
The Golden Knights came out with winning on their minds, and that is what they got. They won 3-2, and the whole team had outstanding performances.
Murdoch got his fifth of the playoffs, six minutes into the first. Dom Lemieux hit the back of the net later on in the period.
The boys were up 2-0 to end the first.
There was no scoring in the second, but a couple penalties were taken from both teams.
The Canadians got within one during the third period, but Carter Pilon came in clutch, scoring the game winning goal.
Things got chaotic at the end of third, when there were issues with the clock. The boys didn’t let that get in the way of their win, though.
An honorable mention to Dustin Riff, for making 35 saves, staying strong in net, and for helping the boys stay in it.
Murdoch deserves another mention too, for blocking shots, when the Knights were killing off a major penalty, at the end of the third.
It was a big win for the Golden Knights, as it keeps them in their playoff run, and brings us to game six, on Saturday.
Game six was a huge 3-2 overtime and comeback win for the Knights.
The boys were down 1-0 at the end of the first, but they didn’t let that bring them down.
The Golden Knights continued to work hard, and put pressure on the Canadians, even after the score became 2-0.
A quick response from the Knights followed the Canadians’ second goal, as Joel Mullen scored off of a nasty forehand backhander, to put the boys within one at the end of the second.
Gavin McCarthy scored halfway into the third, to tie it.
It remained 2-2 after the third period, so it was off to OT.
Connor Cole was the Golden Knight OT hero, scoring to complete the comeback, and push game seven.
“I was just trying to do my best out there, and get pucks in deep,” Cole said. “Saw an open net, Lemieux passed it, and I put it in the net. I was like ‘Yeah, let’s go!’.”
Spirits were high after the win, the whole team was excited, and cheering could be heard from down the hall.
“I feel like we dominated the second and the third, took it overtime,” Cole said. “It was a big team win for us.”
It was a huge win, and a great way to end the week. Now, onwards to game seven.
