Majors End Regular Season on Winning Note

Published on March 20, 2011 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Mississauga St. Michael's Majors News Release


Mississauga, ON - The Majors played their final regular season game this afternoon at the Hershey Centre against the Barrie Colts, who finished in 10th in the Eastern Conference. Despite the outcome not effecting the standings or playoff picture for either team, both squads showed up to play out there 68th game of the regular season. Just before the game, the Majors paid recognition to four players in the game who were playing in their final regular season game in the OHL; defenseman Matt Asham from Barrie Colts as well as defenseman Marc Cantin, Michael D'Orazio and forward Chris DeSousa from the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors. The Majors wrapped up the season with 4-1 victory.

The first period began with action from end to end, as neither team got stuck in their own zone for too long, creating a lot of chances on the rush. Mickael Audette got his second start in a row this afternoon and had to be sharp early stopping all 11 shots in the first as well as an early breakaway chance by Colts forward Steven Beyers, who tried to deke to his backhand. The first penalty of the game went to Majors forward Justin Rasmussen for cross checking at 9:27 of the first. It was the Majors however who had the best chance as Rob Flick and Maxim Kitsyn did good work down low killing off the penalty and Kitsyn was stopped point blank by Colts goalie John Chartrand after a nice pass out front from Flick. The Majors seemed to gain momentum from the penalty kill as just 16 seconds after the penalty had expired Justin Shugg took a pass from Devante Smith-Pelly in front and slipped the puck off his back hand through Chartrand's five hole for his team leading 41st goal of the season. Brett Flemming had the second assist on the play. Then at 17:40 of the period, Majors forward Mika Partanen stuffed the puck home after some hard work behind the Colts net with Gregg Sutch, who got the lone assist on the play, and the Majors went into the intermission with a 2-0 lead, despite being out shot 11-8.

The start of the second period saw the Majors start to take the game over, as most of the play was in the Colts end for the beginning of the period including a frantic powerplay where the Majors did everything but score after Ashman took a two minute roughing penalty at 1:49 of the period. After Justin Rasmussen and Norm Ezekiel got five each for fighting at 8:11, the Colts seemed to get a bit of energy back and began putting rubber on Audette again. At 17:16, Colts forward Dylan Smoskowitz found himself alone in front of Audette and he pulled the puck to his back hand to a wide open net and ended Audette's bout for a second shutout in a row. Just when it looked like the Colts were making a comeback though, the Majors came right back and after an end to end rush by Chris DeSousa, he fed the puck in front to Shugg who tipped the pass right to Corey Bureau who was ready for a one timer and put it in blocker side on Chartrand to restore the two goal lead at 18:16. The shots were 12-5 for Mississauga in the second period.

The Majors came out to start the third just like the second with early pressure low in the Colts end. After a two minute high sticking penalty to Chris Buonomo at 3:12, Jordan Mayer scored on a great snap shot from the slot for a power play marker. Sutch and Stuart Percy recorded the assists. The remainder of the game was uneventful with penalties going to each side and Ezekiel got into his second fight of the game, this time with Rob Flick. Flick finished the year with a team high 172 penalty minutes. The Majors won there final game by a score of 4-1 while outshooting the Colts 36-26.

Following the game the Majors got news that the Belleville Bulls had defeated the Brampton Battalion which confirmed the first round matchup will be the first seed Majors taking on the eighth seed Belleville Bulls, who beat out the Peterborough Petes for the final playoff spot. The series begins this Thursday at the Hershey centre, puck drops at 7:30 pm and tickets are available by visiting the Hershey Centre box office, or by calling 905-502-7788 x. 1.

The entire series schedule is as follows:

GAME 1: THURSDAY, MARCH 24 7:30 HERSHEY CENTRE

GAME 2: SATURDAY, MARCH 26 7:00 YARDMAN ARENA

GAME 3: SUNDAY, MARCH 27 2:00 HERSHEY CENTRE

GAME 4: TUESDAY, MARCH 29 7:00 YARDMAN ARENA

GAME 5: SUNDAY, APRIL 3 2:00 HERSHEY CENTRE

GAME 6: MONDAY, APRIL 4 7:00 YARDMAN ARENA

GAME 7: TUESDAY, APRIL 5 7:00 HERSHEY CENTRE

***Games 5, 6 and 7 are if necessary

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2011


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