Minto 81’s push Seaforth Centenaires out of quarter-finals

SEAFORTH – The Minto 81’s finally got by the Seaforth Centenaires in their Ontario Elite Hockey League quarter-final playoff series Saturday when they eked out a 4-3 victory at the Seaforth and District Community Centre.

That win gave Minto a 4-2 triumph in the best-of-seven series. Minto won the first three games of the series before Seaforth came back with a pair of wins to narrow the gap.

Saturday, the teams scored a goal apiece in the first and third periods while the 81’s outscored the Centenaires 2-1 in the second.

Jacob McEachern fired in the game-winner with 44 seconds to go in the third period.

Jordan DeLaurier opened the scoring with a power-play goal with just under four and a half minutes to go in the opening period.

Brady Wiffen tied it for Seaforth 1:18 later.

The Centenaires went ahead 1:15 into the second on a goal by Kyle Stanbury.

Seaforth’s lead was short-lived as Klayton Hoelscher pulled Minto even 39 seconds after Stanbury’s goal.

Blake Nichol put Minto ahead with a power-play goal with just under nine minutes to go in the middle period.

Wiffen connected for his second of the game and the series when he tallied for Seaforth on a power play with 5:39 to go in the third.

Nichol and Adam Kawalec each had two assists for Minto while DeLaurier had one.

Single assists for Seaforth were recorded by Stanbury, Sheldon Pryce, Jamie Huber, Reuben Smith and Malcolm McLeod.

Seaforth outshot Minto 37-25 and went 1-for-3 on their power play while the 81’s also went 1-for-3.

The teams that finished in the top four in the standings advanced to the semifinals.

Ripley Wolves finished first at 16-1-3 (W-L-OTL) while Creemore Coyotes were second at 14-5-1, Minto third at 13-6-1 and Tavistock Royals fourth at 13-7-0.

The 81’s are to play Creemore in a best-of-seven semifinal series. Dates have not been announced.

• Guelph Sports Journal