Goaltender Aidan Jerry was spectacular, backstopping the McLean and Dickey Orillia Terriers to a nailbiting 1-0 overtime triumph in Huntsville last night.
The dramatic victory gave the Terriers a 4-0 series sweep in their Provincial Junior Hockey League first-round playoff series over Huntsville in a series that was much closer than the outcome would indicate.
On Friday night, the two evenly-matched teams went toe to toe at the Canada Summit Centre as 771 fans tried to urge the home side to victory in an effort to propel them back into the series.
Buoyed by their fans, the Otters absolutely dominated the opening frame, out-shooting the visitors 17-4. If not for Jerry, this game could have been over in the first period.
The Terriers found their legs after that and the two rivals traded chances the rest of regulation time — but nobody could beat Jerry or Otters netminder Darian Willis, who was also strong between the pipes.
But just 2:34 into overtime, an unlikely hero emerged as Terriers defenceman Caiden Pattenden scored an unassisted goal to lift Orillia to the victory and the series sweep. Pattenden, who was picked up by the Terriers from Penetang mid-season, had just three goals in 22 games for the Terriers this year.
While Pattenden was the OT hero, it was Jerry who likely saved the day for the Terriers. He stopped all 37 shots he faced in a game in which the visitors were outshot 37-28.
Orillia took six penalties in the intense contest Friday night, while the Otters were assessed five minor penalties; there were no infractions called in either the third period or overtime.
The other three first-round series involving the North Carruthers Division also ended with sweeps as Alliston, Stayner and Schomberg all swept to first-round victories.
The Terriers will clash with Stayner in the second round. Since joining the Jr. C loop several years ago, the Terriers have never advanced beyond the second round.
Dates for the series against the powerhouse Siskins have not yet been determined.
