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Majors Are Eastern Conference Champions

April 26, 2011 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Mississauga St. Michael's Majors News Release


Mississauga, ON - The Mississauga St. Michael's Majors took one more step along the Road to the Cup this evening, defeating the Niagara IceDogs 4-1 and capturing the Bobby Orr Trophy as the Eastern Conference Champions. It is the first time in the modern era of the franchise that the club has captured the Eastern Conference crown.

The first period started off by bringing the crowd to there feet, when David Corrente let a shot go from the point that found its way through a maze of bodies, but just caught the cross bar before going in. The Majors had territorial advantage for the beginning of the game, other than during a couple penalties by Casey Cizikas and Devante Smith-Pelly. The best save of the period went to Mark Visentin, who has bounced back with a strong start after the Majors chased him from the net in game four. He made a great glove stop on Rob Flick who elected to shoot short side on a two on one with Maxim Kitsyn. The Majors outshot the IceDogs 12-7 in the first period as the two teams played to a scoreless tie.

The second period began with the Majors on a powerplay, and despite getting three shots, they couldn't beat Visentin. However at 6:47 of the second, Cizikas found a puck in the high slot after Michael D'Orazio hit a defenders leg on a point shot and let a quick snapper go that beat Visentin five-hole. That goal gave the whole building some energy, and the crowd roared as Smith-Pelly made a huge hit on Tim Billingsley behind the IceDogs net. Smith Pelly got a hit to head minor penalty though, and on the ensuing powerplay, Dougie Hamilton scored off a one-timer from a great cross ice pass from Ryan Strome at 10:43. The Majors were quick to respond, Rob Flick had the puck on the side-boards and made a quick shot that caught Visentin off guard and it slipped between his leg and the post at 15:46. Then only 37 second later, the Majors put another one in and just like that, the Majors had a two goal cushion. After some hard work down low by Bureau and DeSousa, Dylan DeMelo got alone in front and put it between Visentin's legs and it just had enough to get over the line. The shots were 13 apiece in the second period, and the score was 3-1 Majors heading into the locker room.

In the third period the Majors came out determined to put the final nails in the coffin of the IceDogs. Just 1:10 into the period, Maxim Kitysn buried his team leading seventh goal of the playoffs, Riley Brace got the only assist on the goal. The Majors were in cruise control from there, outshooting the IceDogs 9-7 in the final period, and securing the franchises first ever Eastern Conference Championship.

JP Anderson made 25 stops on the night and earned himself first star of the game. Mark Visentin made 30 saves on 34 shots, taking the loss. The other two stars Flick (3rd) and Kitsyn (2nd).

The Majors now await their opponent for the Rogers OHL Championship Series. Owen Sound leads Windsor in the Western Conference Championship Series 3-1. The two teams face off in game five tomorrow night. Stay tuned to stmichaelsmajors.com for details on the OHL Championship Series or call 905-502-7788 x. 1 to get your tickets.

MasterCard Memorial Cup individual tickets are also on sale, starting as low as $45.00. 500 red level tickets are available for the round robin games and the semi final. Visit the Hershey Centre box office or order online at ticketmaster.ca.

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