Paris Titans earn weekend split with back-to-back 5–3 results

Jim Brown

Sports Correspondent

The Paris Titans split a pair of weekend road games in Provincial Junior C Hockey League play – both ending with a 5-3 score. 

Friday evening the Titans were in Norwich where they fell 5-3. The Merchants took a 1-0 lead in the first period on a power play goal by Brandon Bolazs. They added to that lead in the second with two goals from Thomas McEvoy and Logan Van den Akker at 9:20 and 10:28 respectively.

Trevor McDowell got the Titans on the scoreboard at 10:28 of the second period with Keegan Clarke and Aiden Switzer earning assists. Clark Dunford put the Titans one back at 18:21 on the power play with Kayden Blacquiere and Ryan Gardiner-O'Keefe adding assists.

Clarke netted the equalizer at 6:47 of the third period with the Kersey brothers, Jack and Cole earning assists.

A minute later, Simon Otaki netted the winner for the Merchants at 8:05. Bolden Brimmell tallied an insurance marker at 10:27 with the man advantage.

Ethan Maden stopped 37 of 42 shots he faced in the Titans goal while Norwich’s netminder made 33 saves.

The Titans were handed nine penalties while the Marchants were assessed seven penalties.

Saturday evening the Titans were in Wellesley and three unanswered third period goals lifted the Titan to a 5-3 decision over the Apple Jacks.

The game was at two all tie after the first period of play. Blake Kersey opened the scoring at 1:28 of the first period. Wellsely’s Ben Morton made it 1-1 at 8:48. Dunford responded to give the Titans a 2-1 edge over the Applejacks. The period almost closed with a Paris advantage, but Hudson Parkert would even the score at two at 14:20.

Wellesley struck first in the second period with a marker from Kian Harron but that would be all they could muster before the Titans exploded with three unanswered goals to score a 5-3. Christian tied the score at three at 11:35 of the third period, assisted by Jake Semiwolos and Jack Russell. Jay Metler put the Titans ahead by one at the 19-minute mark with Adam Switzer getting the assist. Clarke netted the insurance marker, an empty net tally at19:57. Gardiner-O'Keefe assisted.

Madden stopped 30 of 33 shots he faced in the Titans net while Logan MacMillsn made 32 saves in the Wellesley net, facing 36 shots.

The Titans were handed four penalties and the Apple Jacks received three penalties.

The team is back in action on Friday, December 12 for a home game against Hespeler beginning at 7:45 pm, followed by another home game on Saturday, December 13 against Woodstock. Puck drops at 7:30 pm.