Minto 81’s take playoff opener from Seaforth

PALMERSTON – The Minto 81’s opened their Ontario Elite Hockey League playoffs with a 5-3 victory over the Seaforth Centenaires Friday at the Palmerston and District Community Centre Complex.

The 81’s took the lead for the first time in the game with a power-play goal midway through the second that put them ahead 3-2.

The teams had scored a goal apiece in the first period and Minto took that 3-2 lead into the third.

Adam Kawalec scored two consecutive goals for the 81’s while Riley Cribbin, Klayton Hoelscher and Blair Butchart also scored. Single assists were given to Blake Nichol, Brendan Clayton, Shawn Lantz, Jordan Delaurier, Jacob McEachern, Cribbin, Kawalec and Steven Grant.

Jamie Huber, Ray Huether and Drew Gross had a goal apiece for Seaforth. Carter Collinson had two assists while Jacob Finlayson, Huber and Brady Wiffen each had one.

Shots on goal were not recorded.

Minto had the lone power-play of the game.

Daniel Dekoening was in net for all but 16 seconds early in the second when he was replaced by Thomas Gainer.

Alex Hutcheson was in goal for the Centenaires.

Second game of the best-of-seven quarter-final is to go Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at Seaforth.

• Guelph Sports Journal