Titans edge Firebirds 6–5 in tight home-ice battle

James Brown

Paris Independent Contributor

The Paris Titans held off a late surge from the New Hamburg Firebirds to claim a thrilling 6–5 victory in Provincial Junior C Hockey League action Saturday night at the Brant Sports Complex.

The Titans came out flying in the opening period. Ethan Arrojado opened the scoring just 1:23 into the game, assisted by Carter MacKay and Jay Metler. This was MacKay’s first PJHL goal, earning him the Titan’s player of the game. New Hamburg’s Devon Wallace responded quickly to even things at one apiece, but Paris captain Ryan Gardiner-O’Keefe restored the lead at 3:39, assisted by linemate Clark Dunford.

“It was a big goal for me as it was assisted by my linemate from last year, Clark Dunford, and it was his first point of the year,” said Gardiner-O’Keefe post game. 

The Firebirds tied the game 2–2 early in the second period, but the Titans regained control moments later when Cole Kersey scored at 6:46, assisted by Jack Kersey. Keegan Clarke extended the lead to 4–2 with helpers from Gannon Neill and Jack Schell, and Ayden Burns answered for New Hamburg with a buzzer-beater at 19:59 to narrow the gap heading into the third.

MacKay restored the Titans’ two-goal advantage at 11:27 of the final frame with help from Kayde Blaquiere, but Burns struck again for the Firebirds at 13:12 to make it 5–4.

With the game on the line, Blake Kersey buried an empty-netter at 18:31 to give Paris a bit of breathing room, an insurance marker that proved crucial when Ben Oliver scored for New Hamburg just 48 seconds later to close out the 6–5 final.

“Scoring that empty-net goal was an important goal for us,” said head coach Gary Gardiner, who was behind the bench for his first game as Titans coach. “Our guys really played well tonight.”

“It was a big win for us tonight,” added captain Gardiner-O’Keefe.

Goaltender Cole Stevens turned aside 36 shots for Paris, while Connor Harnum made 24 saves for the Firebirds. Both teams went 0-for-1 on the power play, and tempers flared late when Blake Kersey and Burns drew coincidental minors at 15:48 of the third.

The win improved Paris’ record to 4-3 on the season and helped avenge an early-season overtime loss to New Hamburg. “This was an important win for the Titans,” said coach Gardiner.

The Titans were back in action Sunday evening against the Wellesley Apple Jacks and will return home next Saturday to host the Norwich Merchants at 7:30 p.m. at the Brant Sports Complex.