Majors Open Series With Win

Published on April 1, 2010 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Mississauga St. Michael's Majors News Release


Ottawa, ON- The Mississauga St. Michael's Majors opened their second round series against the Ottawa 67's with a 4-1 victory tonight at the Urbandale Centre. The Majors now take a 1-0 series lead.

Exactly one week ago the Majors were leaving Peterborough having swept the Petes and Ottawa were still battling Niagara. The Majors used the week off to rest up and prepare for a physical series with Ottawa as was demonstrated tonight in game one. Chris Carrozzi was named the OHL goaltender of the week for his performance against the Petes and further cemented his status with stellar saves tonight. After going almost four minutes without a shot on goal to open the game the action quickly picked up as both Mississauga and Ottawa exchanged chances. The 67's had back-to-back power play opportunities early in the period but couldn't beat Carrozzi. As the period went on it seemed the teams were going to head to the intermission tied. However at 18:57 the Majors took the lead courtesy of William Wallen. The second year forward from Sweden scored his first goal of the playoffs and ended a 19 game scoring slump to put Mississauga ahead. Corey Bureau and Joseph Cramarossa exchanged passes before finding a streaking Wallen. Wallen wired his shot past Chris Perugini high on the glove side to give Mississauga a 1-0 lead after one.

Ottawa continued the physical play and outplayed the Majors for a good part of the second period and eventually drew even at 10:09 of the second period. Julien Demers shot was blocked but Corey Cowick was able to bank in the rebound beating Carrozzi five-hole for his sixth of the playoffs to make it 1-1. The Majors reclaimed the lead under three minutes later when overager T.J. Battani put St. Mike's ahead 2-1. Battani fought through two Ottawa players and passed the puck to Riley Brace who was at the side of the net. Brace passed back to Battani who faked out Perugini sending the 67's goaltender down onto his stomach. Battani calmly put the puck into the open net with a backhander. The 2-1 score stood after twenty minutes.

The Majors increased the lead to 3-1 in the opening three minutes of the third. Gregg Sutch scored his first of the post season after the Majors forced a turnover, resulting in a three-on-two in the Ottawa end. Rob Flick passed from the point to Brace, who found Sutch parked infront of the Ottawa goal. The puck deflected off Sutch's skate but there was no kicking motion resulting in a goal. Mississauga continued to put pucks on goal and in the closing seconds T.J. Battani added an empty netter, making the final 4-1 for the Majors. Chris Carrozzi made 28 saves for St. Mike's and improves his playoff record to 5-0. Chris Perugini stopped 34 shots and takes the loss, his first of the post season.

The Majors will have no time to enjoy the victory as game two of the series is set for tomorrow night in Ottawa at 7:30 p.m. The teams will travel to Mississauga for game three of the series on Sunday afternoon beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Notes: Riley Brace and Rob Flick recorded a pair of assists each for the Majors. Mississauga killed off all five of Peterborough's power play opportunities.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2010


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