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Maxwell Draws Majors Closer to Playoffs

March 9, 2012 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Mississauga St. Michael's Majors News Release


Thanks to Brandon Maxwell, the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors are one point away from a playoff berth.

Maxwell stopped all 43 shots he faced as the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors shut out the hometown Niagara IceDogs 2-0 in Ontario Hockey League action on Thursday night.

The win not only served as a pertinent victory in the Majors hunt for a playoff spot in the tight Eastern Conference standings, but it also delivered a bit of retribution for their last trip to St. Catharine's, one in which the Majors fell 11-0 to the IceDogs on February 9th.

The seventh place Majors (29-27-1-6) with 65 points now hold a six point lead over the ninth place Peterborough Petes, who fell 3-2 to the Brampton Battalion on Thursday night. The Majors magic number to solidify a playoff spot is now at one point. They have five remaining games in the regular season - three on the road and two at home - and if they claim just one point in those five games, they are guaranteed a playoff spot.

Jamie Wise with his 25th of the year and Mika Partanen with his 17th were the goal scorers for the Majors.

The IceDogs outshot the Majors in the first frame by a 16-7 margin as the game remained 0-0. Wise opened the scoring at 3:51 of the second period, shorthanded and unassisted, to give the Majors a 1-0 lead.

The second period ended with the IceDogs outshooting the Majors 19-9, and 35-16 through 40 minutes.

With IceDogs' goaltender Mark Visentin pulled in favour of an extra attacker, Partanen cashed in on the empty net opportunity for his 17th goal of the season at 18:58 of the third period, assisted by Alex Cord, to solidify the 2-0 road win for the Majors.

Visentin stopped 20 of 21 shots he faced for the IceDogs, who once again outshot the Majors in the final frame 8-6, for a game total of 43-22.

Head Coach/General Manager James Boyd couldn't say enough about his starting goaltender Maxwell, but was also quick to compliment the players in front of him for sticking to their game plan.

"Maxwell was unbelievable for us tonight and made a half a dozen game-saving stops,

"We got a lot of quality chances out of Spenser Cobbold, Ryan Duhaime and Brett Foy, and our veterans were really good."

As the game progressed into the later stages, Boyd could see his players were responding with the right effort and attitude.

"We started to believe in ourselves and it was a real confidence booster. It was a huge win and a pretty gutty victory. We were willing to sacrifice."

The IceDogs were unsuccessful on their three power play opportunities, while the Majors went 0-for-2 with the man advantage.

The Majors continue their weekend road swing as they take on the Kingston Frontenacs Friday night, March 9th at the K-Rock Centre at 7:30 p.m. They close out the weekend against the Ottawa 67's on Sunday March 11th at 2 p.m.

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