Majors Take Commanding Series Lead

March 27, 2011 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Mississauga St. Michael's Majors News Release


Mississauga, ON - Less then 24 hours after defeating the Bulls in Belleville, the Majors were back on home ice and looking to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. With a 2-0 victory, the Majors did just that and will now look to finish the series off on Tuesday night in Belleville.

The first period began without a whistle for nearly 10 minutes, and the tempo was fast with the Majors spending a lot more time in their own end than they have been used to so far in the series. Belleville was clearly eager to go from the drop of the puck, as they were desperate not to fall into a 3-0 hole in the series. J.P. Anderson made a couple stops in tight as the Bulls did a good job of putting some pressure on the Majors netminder. The Bulls outshot the Majors in the period 7-5, but could not solve Anderson and the first period ended 0-0.

The second period was a much better effort from the Majors, after killing off a hooking penalty to Brett Flemming the Majors seemed to get the wake up call that they needed and began firing at will toward the Bulls net. However it was Malcom Subban's turn to shine as he made some great saves on the Majors, his best a sliding pad save on Chris DeSousa. Despite Subban's efforts the Majors found a way to beat him on the power-play, as Maxim Kitsyn carried the puck in on a three on one, dragged the puck and decided to shoot which beat Subban high glove side to give the Majors a one goal lead. Stuart Percy and Marc Cantin recorded the assists. The Majors didn't stop there as they continued to dominate the game, playing most of the period in Belleville's zone. The Majors managed to outshoot the Bulls 23-5, and played little time in their own end other then during a two minute elbowing penalty to Marc Cantin at 15:30. Despite the dominating play, it was still anybody's game with the score 1-0 Majors after two.

The Bulls came out in the third period, looking to tie the game up. The Majors gave Belleville a couple of good opportunities thanks to two powerplays. Jamie Wise took an elbowing penalty at 5:39 and Mika Partanen took a roughing penalty at 12:28 to provide the powerplay chances. The Majors penalty kill did a good job of limiting Belleville's chances as the double blue held onto the lead. In a final effort to tie things up, Belleville pulled Malcolm Subban in favour of the extra attacker, but it was the Majors who capitalized on the empty net. Riley Brace scored his first goal of the post season when he sent the puck down the ice and into the goal at 19:24, securing a 2-0 victory for the Majors. Shots on goal in the third period were 8-7 in favour of Mississauga.

JP Anderson recorded his second shut out in as many days to record the victory, making 19 saves on the afternoon. Anderson was named third star of the game for his efforts. Malcolm Subban was strong in net for Belleville, making 34 saves in a losing effort. He was awarded the second star of the game. With the game winning goal, Maxim Kitsyn was named the first star of the afternoon.

The series continues in Belleville this Tuesday night. The Majors will be looking to close out the series at 7:00 PM at Yardmen Arena.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 27, 2011


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