Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Slammers doubled in game 6; Mariners tie series at 3 apiece, force game 7

The Woodstock Slammers have fallen for the second consecutive time in the 2012 Kent Cup Playoffs.

The Slammers were doubled by the Yarmouth Mariners in a 4-2 road loss in game six of the Kent Cup Final on Monday, April 16th. The Mariners' victory has left the series tied at three games each, and has confirmed the worst fears of many--the 2012 Kent Cup Final series will go to game seven.

Many fans were hoping that game seven would not be necessary, as the MHL title could go either way, making for a rather nerve-wracking game.

The Slammers would then be pressing their luck.

Nick Huard got the ball rolling nearly five and a half minutes into Monday night's contest, utilizing on a pass from Robert Visca.

Yarmouth captain Andrew Walker made the best of a man-advantage nearly ten minutes into the middle frame, scoring a power play goal and tying the game at one.

Jared Hicks scored another power play goal at 15:26 in the second period, breaking the tie and bringing the score to 2-1 in favour of the Mariners.

Rodney Mahoney increased Yarmouth's lead to two points by scoring at 16:37. Mahoney's goal would be the last one for period two.

In ten shots faced, Matt Murphy allowed three goals, putting the Slammers further behind. Two of them were power play goals, netted by Hicks and Mahoney.

Evan Carmody took advantage of some help from Connor Tresham and Chris Rygus, beating Charles Grant at 4:10. Carmody's goal reduced the deficit to one, however, it was not enough to secure the Kent Cup for the Slammers.

Slammers head coach Jason Tatarnic pulled Matt Murphy with one minute remaining, allowing the Mariners a positive opportunity to round out the scoring in the final minute of the game. They did not let the opportunity pass, and Andrew Wigg slipped the rubber into the wide open Slammers' net with 3.1 seconds remaining on the clock.

The Slammers didn't take too lightly to this, with a fight occurring between Robert Visca and Ryan Nickerson at 19:57, the same time Wigg had sealed the Slammers' fate. Visca and Nickerson both were assessed five-minute majors for fighting and game misconducts. Zach Shannon also received a two-minute minor for slashing, along with a ten-minute misconduct for Connor Tresham, and a two-minute minor for unsportsmanlike conduct and ten-minute misconduct for Andrew Wigg.

Of 28 shots faced, Charles Grant refused 26 for the win, while Matt Murphy blocked 17 out of 20 shots, not including one empty net goal, in the losing effort.

Yarmouth caught themselves on a man-advantage on three different occasions in Monday night's contest, and they utilized on two of them, while the Slammers failed to take advantage of four power play opportunities.

Game number seven is scheduled for Friday, April 20th, at the Carleton Civic Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 pm. The box office will be open on Thursday, April 19th from 6 to 8 pm, and on Friday from 11 am to 1 pm. The box office will also be open from 5 pm until game time.

With files from www.themhl.ca and www.slammershockey.ca 

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