Majors Take Game One with a 5-2 Victory

May 3, 2011 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Mississauga St. Michael's Majors News Release


Mississauga, ON - The Mississauga St. Michael's Majors and Owen Sound Attack faced off in game one of the Rogers OHL Championship Series this evening at the Hershey Centre. The Majors secured 5-2 victory and a 1-0 series lead.

On the first shift of the game the Majors tested Owen Sound goalie Matt Stajcer as Maxim Kitsyn came in on a breakaway and nearly tucked the puck in far side on his forehand but Stajcer stuck his leg out to make the stop. Both teams spent a lot of time in their own end and the fore checking was furious. It was clear early that discipline will be very important for each team if they hope to succeed. The Majors scored the first goal of the series on the powerplay after an interference penalty to Brendan Childerly. Devante Smith-Pelly shot a one timer through the five-hole of Stajcer off a pass from Casey Cizikas just 3:54 into the series. Stuart Percy got the second assist. Shorty after Rob Flick also got an interference penalty, and it cost the Majors. Robby Mignardi finished a nice goal off the rush after a great passing play between Mignardi, Mike Halmo and Andrew Shaw. Both teams had chances to pull ahead, but each goalie was playing well. The Majors were out shot 10-5 in the first.

The second began similar to the first; Michael D'Orazio had what looked like a sure goal but Stajcer just made his way across to make one of his acrobatic saves. At 4:27, the Majors took the lead for the second time in the game after a great fake shot from Cizikas and he fed Smith-Pelly for his second of the night; it was the second time the two hooked up tonight. At 6:54, Cantin took a kneeing penalty after taking out Jesse Blacker who went to the room for repairs. Luckily for Owen Sound, he quickly returned to the game and the injury didn't seem to serious. However, Blacker came back to a game being dominated by the Majors and their first line of Cizikas, Smith-Pelly and Justin Shugg. They hooked up another time in the period when Cizikas got his third point of the night and fourth goal of the playoffs, after relentlessly batting at the puck to force it past Stajcer at 14:00. Just 43 seconds later, the Majors gave themselves a three goal cushion when Rob Flick got the puck after some tough fore checking and fed Chris DeSousa who made no mistake in putting it past an overwhelmed Owen Sound goaltender. The Majors tallied 21 shots on the period compared to the Attack's seven shots.

The third began with the Majors killing a charging penalty issued to Jamie Wise at the end of the second, and Owen Sound scored their second powerplay goal of the night to bring them within two goals early in the third. The Majors then deployed their well known shut-down defense for the remainder of the third, and held off the Attack's offense at bay for the remainder of the game. Smith-Pelly highlighted the third with two massive open ice hits, and Jordan Mayer recorded his sixth goal of the playoffs with an unassisted empty netter while Owen Sound had pulled their goalie in desperation at the end of the game. The Majors took a 1-0 series lead with a 5-2 victory at home thanks to a three goal second period and stingy defense in the third. Owen Sound outshot the Majors 12-2 in the third.

Scott Stacjer took the loss for Owen Sound, making 23 saves on 27 shots. JP Anderson recorded his 13th victory of the post season, making 27 saves on 29 shots. The Majors are a perfect 8-0 at home this post season. The games three stars were Mignardi (3rd), Smith-Pelly (2nd) and Cizikas (1st).

The series now shifts to Owen Sound on Thursday night before returning to Mississauga on Friday for a 7:30 PM puck drop. Tickets for Friday's game are available at the Hershey Centre box office.

MasterCard Memorial Cup individual game tickets are also now available starting as low as $45.00 plus applicable taxes and fees. Order through ticketmaster.ca or visit the Hershey Centre box office.



Ontario Hockey League Stories from May 3, 2011


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