A stellar performance between the pipes, some timely goals and some determined play has the Orillia Terriers right back in the fight in their playoff series against the upstart Schomberg Cougars.
Orillia played its best game of their Provincial Junior Hockey League opening round series earlier this week, earning a 5-3 road triumph in Schomberg. The Cougars still lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.
The Terriers got off to a fast start and built a 2-0 first-period lead thanks to a power-play goal from Mason Beck and a top-shelf snipe from Josh Brown.
After Schomberg cut the lead in half, Matt Priest rocketed a point shot past the Cougars netminder to make it 3-1.
Soon after, Cam Cochrane fended off three Schomberg players and dug the puck out to the slot to Jack Beck, who wristed the puck off the left post to give the Terriers a commanding 4-1 lead.
The Cougars took advantage of a Terriers’ give-away to cut the lead to 4-2 heading into the final frame. But a third-period goal from Everette Nudd helped the Terriers regain the momentum and they skated to the 5-3 win.
Goalie Zach Levac was excellent as the Terriers were outshot 41-35. He was a key factor in the team’s victory in a game they had to win.
Tonight, the Terriers hope to knot the hotly-contested series. The two teams clash at Orillia's Rotary Place at 7:30 p.m.
After five days off, both teams should be well rested.
It’s a pivotal game in the series as Orillia will be hosting back-to-back games. Game 5 goes Family Day Monday at 3:30 p.m. at the Rama MASK.
A sixth game is slated for Feb. 20 in Schomberg. If necessary, a seventh game would be played Feb. 22 in Orillia.
The Terriers are looking to thwart a massive playoff upset.
Orillia finished the regular season in third place in the Carruthers Division after compiling a 25-14-0-3 regular-season record. Schomberg finished 25 points behind the Terriers - in sixth place, with a 11-22-1-2 mark.
