PJHL Roundup: Braves take commanding lead in first-round series

Keaton Bartlett fires a shot on goal during Game 1 of the Tavistock Braves' first-round playoff series against the Paris Titans on Feb. 20. Bartlett has scored two goals and four assists through the first three games of the series. Alec Richard photo

By Lee Griffi

The Tavistock Braves have put themselves in a position to sweep the Paris Titians in their Doherty Division opening-round series.

The Braves took game three by a 7-4 count despite trailing 3-2 after the first period. Tavistock scored five of the game’s next six goals to earn the win, led by three-point performances by Evan Palubeski and Keaton Bartlett. Ryan McKellar and Carter Arseneau added a goal and assist each.

Tavistock cruised to an 8-3 win on the road Saturday to grab a 2-0 series lead, converting five of seven chances with the man advantage. Jacob Reid-Brant and Arseneau led the offence with three points each, while Bartlett, Palubeski and Nolan Miller added a goal and assist apiece.

Paris took 44 minutes in penalties while Tavistock had 15 as the Braves held a 41-20 edge in shots on goal.

Blake Richard stopped all 23 shots he faced in Tavistock on Friday as the Braves earned a 4-0 win. Ethan Stover, Palubeski, Arseneau and Reid-Brant all found the back of the net.

The Titans have amassed a total of 107 penalty minutes, with the Braves sitting at 67.

“Paris has tried to be physical for the most part with hits and throwing an extra shot in, or a spear or slash at our guys after whistles,” said Braves general manager Brent Lange. “Player safety is a concern at times, yes, but that's why the four-referee system is in place, and each game is being recorded and goes back to a director of player safety for review if anything goes wrong.”

Lange added his team has been able to, for the most part, resist retaliation penalties, which has resulted in seven powerplay goals on 19 opportunities.

“The guys have been great, playing at a high pace each night. Our forechecks have been solid, making life hard on Paris defencemen. All four lines have been rolling, our defence and goaltending have been great so far. As long as we keep that going, we will be fine.”

Game 4 was scheduled for Tavistock on Wednesday night, after the Gazette’s deadline.

Applejacks take stranglehold over Shamrocks

Wellesley travelled to Hespeler on Tuesday night and came away with a 5-2 victory to take a 3-0 series lead. The Applejacks went two for three on the powerplay with defenceman Bobby Tsilogianis and Riley Noble leading the attack with two points each.

Wellesley easily took Game 1 by an 8-2 score after building a 7-1 lead after 40 minutes. Riley Noble led the attack with four assists while Luke Schofield added a goal and a helper. Ryan Brenton and Kaelan McDougald each score twice for the Applejacks.

Game 2 was a different story as Noble scored the game-winning goal on a powerplay just over four minutes into overtime with assists going to Hudson Parker and Rhys McCloskey. Tyler Chadwick gave Wellesley a 1-0 lead seven and a half minutes into the third period, but Hespeler tied it up nine minutes later, forcing the extra period.

Firebirds even series with Merchants

New Hamburg evened its series with Norwich with a 3-2 road win on Saturday thanks to Jordan Jacobs’ game-winner just under three minutes into the second period. Ben Oliver scored twice for the winners, who received an outstanding performance between the pipes by Connor Harmon who stopped 36 of 38 shots, including all 17 he faced in the third period.

The Firebirds dropped Game 1 at home on Friday by a 4-2 count. Owen Bruder’s goal at the 14:22 mark of the third period pulled New Hamburg to within one, but Norwich sealed the win with an empty net goal. Jyden Fischer also scored for the Firebirds, who were outshot 41-28.

Game 3 in the series was played on Wednesday night in New Hamburg after the Gazette went to press.

Woodstock has taken a 3-0 lead over Dorchester as the Navy Vets have outscored the Dolphins 17-5. Woodstock can complete a series sweep with a win on home ice Friday.

Remaining Doherty Division schedules

Tavistock vs. Paris

Game 5* - Friday, Feb. 27 in Tavistock @ 7:30 p.m.

Game 6* - Saturday, Feb. 28 in Paris @ 7:30 p.m.

Game 7* - Wednesday, March 4 in Tavistock @ 8:40 p.m.

Wellesley vs. Hespeler

Game 4 - Friday, Feb. 27 in Wellesley @ 8 p.m.

Game 5* - Saturday, Feb. 28 in Wellesley @ 7:30 p.m.

Game 6* - Sunday, March 1 in Hespeler @ 3:30 p.m.

Game 7* - Wednesday, March 4 in Wellesley @ 8:30 p.m.

New Hamburg vs. Norwich

Game 4 - Friday, Feb. 27 in Norwich @ 8 p.m.

Game 5 - Saturday, Feb. 28 in New Hamburg @ 8:30 p.m.

Game 6* - Tuesday, March 3 in Norwich @ 8 p.m.

Game 7* - Wednesday, March 4 in New Hamburg @ 7:30 p.m.

*if necessary