The Rama First Nation minor bantam Orillia Terriers defeated the Quinte West Hawks in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) semi-finals to punch their ticket to the provincial championship.
In Game 1 at home, the visiting Hawks opened the scoring with one late in the first. The second period was scoreless, but early in the third, Bennett Mackey capitalized after sustained pressure to even the game 1-1. Assists went to Hunter McLaughlin and Eric Taher.
The Terriers pressed on many chances but could not solve the Hawk defender, forcing overtime. Mid-way through the OT period, the Hawks thought they scored on a 2-on-1 chance, but Ryker Jacobs reached back before the puck crossed the line, robbing them of a victory. A few minutes later another Hawks' chance led to a penalty shot, but Jacobs again closed the door, choking Quinte’s enthusiasm. The Game ended in a 1-1 tie.
The Terriers hit the road on a coach bus watching sports movies and getting pumped for Game 2 and it showed! Orillia pressed the Hawks early with first-period goals by Cameron Weishar (2), Cohen Robitaille and Connor Varley that gave Orillia a comfortable 4-0 lead.
Quinte managed to get one past Connor Sampson in the second frame, but that was all they were getting. Taher followed Quinte’s goal with another for the Terriers and Weishar finished off the second period with his third of the night, a hat trick for the defenceman. Assists in the game went to Taher, Cameron Dooley, Max Schryer, Thomas North, Varley and McLaughlin (2).
Game 3 was another road trip to Trenton for the Terriers who rallied together on the coach bus one more time. Orillia’s Robitaille opened the scoring in the first on a pass from Taher.
Quinte tied it up with less than a minute remaining in the first period. Varley and Dooley both netted goals in the second along with one from Quinte. The Terriers, with Jacobs in net, held their 3-2 lead until with only seconds left in the game Weishar potted one, sealing the 4-2 win for the Orillia squad.
Back at home the next night, a tired Orillia team fed off the incredible energy of the home crowd and hit the ice with determination. Early in the first period, Weishar rushed end to end and buried a quick goal past the Hawks goalie; Sampson registered the assist on the goal.
Shortly after, Jordan Blunt netted a goal on an assist from Ethan Telford. Under a minute later, Schryer banged the puck in the net to give the Terriers an early 3-0 lead. Assists went to Robitaille and Dooley.
Early in the second period, Caden Banville fired one home from the point on the poweplay. Assists going to Nathan Fogarty and Weishar. The Hawks were able to snap the shutout from Sampson, but Orillia won the contest 4-1 taking the series 7-1 and catapulting themselves into the OMHA Finals.
The Terriers will face the St Thomas Stars in the OMHA finals. Here's the schedule:
- Game 1: Saturday March 14 — 5:20 p.m. at Rotary Place
- Game 2: Sunday March 15 — 2:40 p.m.at Rotary Place
- Game 3: Saturday March 21 — 5:30 p.m. at St Thomas
- Game 4: Sunday March 22 — 1:30 p.m. at St Thomas
- Game 5: Saturday March 28 — 3:30 p.m. at Rotary Place
- Game 6: Sunday March 29 — 2 p.m. at St Thomas
