Braves drop game five in Essex County

Members of the Tavistock Braves skate by the bench in celebration after scoring a goal during their 6-3 win over the Lakeshore Canadians in Game Four on April 26. After being up 2-0 and 3-1, the Canadians tied the game with a two-goal second period, but the Braves erupted for three unanswered goals in the third to secure the victory and give the Braves a 3-1 lead in the series. Alec Richard photo

By Lee Griffi

Tavistock will have to wait at least one more game to clinch a berth in the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s Schmaltz Cup championship series.

Tavistock travelled to Lakeshore Tuesday night with a chance to join Fergus in the final, but was on the receiving end of a 5-2 Canadiens victory. The Braves never led in the game, but Ryan McKellar’s ninth of the playoffs early in the second period tied the game at one. The Canadiens scored the game’s next four goals over 23 minutes of the second and third periods to seal the win. Jackson Andrews chipped in with a late power-play goal for Tavistock, his second of the playoffs.

For the second straight game, Lakeshore outshot Tavistock, this time by a 30-26 margin.

“We are fine and will bounce back on Wednesday,” said Braves general manager Brent Lange. “We didn't play well is all.”

Game six was set for Wednesday evening at the Tavistock and District Recreation Centre, several hours after the Gazette’s deadline. Game seven, if necessary, is back in Lakeshore on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday’s game four in Tavistock saw the Braves come up with a 6-3 win after letting a 3-1 lead slip away after 40 minutes. Felix Isert-Bender and Yann Raskin gave the home team a 2-0 lead halfway through the first period before Lakeshore’s Brandon Leblanc cut the lead in half. Marc Dionne restored the two-goal buffer at the 17-minute mark, his first of the playoffs.

The tide turned in the second, with the Canadiens outshooting the Braves 13–7 and battling back to tie the game 3–3 heading into the final frame. Tavistock was again outshot but managed to score three times on just four attempts. Yann Raskin earned the game-winning goal just 49 seconds into the period, with Keegan Metcalf adding a pair of shorthanded insurance markers.

Metcalf, never considered a big scorer throughout his junior career, now has 16 goals and 10 assists in 25 postseason games.

“On the first goal, their defenceman turned it over, I had a wide open lane to the net and shot it up top. On the second one, Palubeski did some great work behind the net and threw it out front. I wasn’t intending to score, but good things happen when you put it on net.”

After dominating the first, the Braves were flat in the second, but Metcalf said the team regrouped during the second-period intermission and came out ready for the third.

“Coach Zac Berg came in and had some words of wisdom, and we had all cylinders firing. That’s exactly what we need to win.”

Captain Marc Dionne, while admitting to struggling offensively, said his priority is defence.

“There’s only one goal I have while on the ice, and that’s keeping the puck out of our net and doing the little things right. It has been tough for me to score goals, but it felt really good to get on the scoresheet.”

Tavistock took game four in Lakeshore by a score of 3-0 as Blake Richard earned the shutout while the Braves were outshot 25-16, a rarity during the team’s historical playoff run. Tyler Brezynskie scored in the first, Evan Palubeski in the second, and Jacob Reid-Grant in the third.

Other PJHL news

The Doherty Division’s Paris Titans are no more. The team will be sticking around but has decided to go back to its roots and, going forward, will be known again as the Mounties. The team released a statement on its social media channels.

“Some names are more than just words. They carry memories, pride, and generations of history. Today, we’re proud to announce that our organization is returning to its roots and embracing a name that means so much to this community — the Paris Mounties.”

The statement added the change is about honouring the past, celebrating the people who built the team’s legacy, and creating an even stronger future for the next generation of players and fans.

“While our name evolves, our commitment remains the same: to represent Paris with passion, pride, and heart every single night. To everyone who supported us through every chapter, thank you. This story continues because of you. The crest returns. The tradition lives on. The future starts now. Welcome back, Mounties.”

The Lucan Irish recently released a statement saying a new board of directors has been established to lead the future of the struggling organization.

“The newly formed leadership group is committed to restoring stability, strengthening governance, and rebuilding a sustainable path forward for junior hockey in our community. Our focus is clear: to create a community-focused, transparent, and competitive program that prioritizes player development and long-term success.”

The team has also announced Glen Marshall as its new general manager.

“Glen is a proud Irish alumnus who played from 1985 to 1990 and was a part of the all-Ontario team in 1987. Glen also coached the Irish from 2018 to 2020.”

The team is asking interested players to reach out to Glen at irishsixgm@gmail.com or at 519-495-1504.