PJHL roundup: Braves complete sweep and will battle Navy Vets

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By Lee Griffi

The Tavistock Braves have moved on to the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s (PJHL) Doherty Division final.

Blake Richard stopped all 34 shots he faced and Kegan Metcalf scored his eighth goal of the postseason as the Braves completed a four-game sweep of Wellesley last Wednesday night with a 1-0 road victory.

Metcalf scored the game-winning goal at the 3:46 mark of the first period from Ethan Stover and Yann Raskin. Braves netminder Blake Richard shut the door the rest of the way, stopping all 34 shots he faced.

Metcalf scored six times in the series, including three game-winners, and added three assists. His 14 playoff points put him eighth in the league. Stover leads the Braves with six goals and 10 assists. Richard has played seven of the Braves eight postseason games and has a goals-against average of 2.14 with a save percentage of .924 and a pair of shutouts.

Metcalf, who played three and a half seasons in New Hamburg before being acquired by Tavistock this season, said the transition to his new team wasn’t difficult.

“I went to school with a bunch of the guys, grew up playing with some of them. Palubeski I played with my whole life and played against Stover. All the local guys from Tavistock I grew up with and went to high school with (at Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School). Knowing a good portion of the team before I came in definitely helped.”

He added the new teammates he didn’t know welcomed him with open arms.

“It’s a great locker room and it’s such a close-knit group. I don’t think I have been part of a team like this. It feels like we really have something special here.”

The Braves are one of just four undefeated teams in the PJHL playoffs and have lost just one of their last 20 games. Metcalf said it hasn’t been hard to get to the rink for practices or games.

“I don’t think anyone has any weight on their shoulders. We are showing up at the arena loose and clicking on all cylinders. We have been down during some games during the streak but battled our way back. The guys have complete trust in each other and don’t give up.”

One example of the team’s grit is how they battled back from a 5-2 deficit in Game 1 with Wellesley, an effort resulting in a 9-6 victory.   

Metcalf, who has never been a point-per-game scorer during his career, was quick to credit his teammates for his recent success.

“I just happen to be in the right spot at the right time. On almost all of my goals, my linemates have made some incredible plays. I had two in Game 3 against Wellesley, thanks to two of the most insane passes I have ever seen – a behind-the-back and a no-look. I’ve been working hard and putting the pucks in when I have chances.”

The 21-year-old is an apprentice with LH and W Plumbing in Tavistock and has been a part of some deep runs in the PJHL postseason, including a final-four appearance last season when the Firebirds were able to squeak by the Braves in a seven-game thriller. Metcalf feels his experience is making a difference.

“I know what it’s going to take and I am just trying to do my part. Right now, it’s scoring, but maybe next game it’ll be doing other things. Whatever the team needs from me, that’s what I’m going to bring.”

The Braves will take on the Woodstock, who defeated the Norwich Merchants in six games, capped off by a convincing 10-5 road win on Tuesday night.

The Navy Vets feature a big three of offence made up of Owen Ireton, Cooper Vickerman and Charley Barnes. The trio have combined for 50 points in 10 playoff games. Tavistock Head Coach Zac Berg said despite Woodstock’s explosiveness, his team matches up well with Woodstock.

“We are deep enough to make up for their top three guys, and I think we have the players who can shut them down. We take pride in our defence, and if we defend their top three like we always do, we’ll have success.”

Woodstock won the first four meetings in dominating fashion, outscoring Tavistock 20-6. The last two matchups were a different story as the Braves earned 5-2 and 3-2 victories. The Braves rolled four lines regularly throughout the first two rounds and Berg expects the strategy to continue.

“I believe it takes a whole team to win and everyone has to be involved. We’ll keep everyone going all game long and that’s how we can beat Woodstock.”

The Navy Vets averaged over 1,000 fans for each home game against the Merchants in the battle of 59, as it's called. The second 59 fight is something Metcalf is looking forward to.

“They pack the rink and it's going to be a good series. They definitely have the high-end talent, just like we do. We are a deeper team and can play all four lines and I don’t know if their four lines can keep up with ours.”

He added special teams play will play a large role in the series.

As of press time, the schedule had not been released but the series is expected to kick off Friday or Saturday night in Woodstock.