By Matt Wilson
Brockville, ON – The Ottawa Jr. Senators dropped game one of their best of seven series against the Brockville Braves 4-1 on Wednesday night from the Brockville Memorial Centre.
The story of the game was the play of Brockville Goaltender Jake Begley, who stopped 37 of the 38 shots he faced.
The Jr. Senators came out firing early as Thomas Freel opened the scoring finishing a great three way passing play between him, Ethan Mulhearn and Maxime Blanchard 3:05 in the first period of play.
The Braves were able to get the equalizer only a few minutes later though as Parker Casey scored on a power play after Ottawa was called for having two many men on the ice.
Austin Paul scored the game winning goal for the Braves at the 16:49 mark of the 1st Period ripping one off the bar and in past OJS Goaltender Bryan Landsberger .
OJS forward Thomas Freel was given a game misconduct after taking the Jr. Senators second goaltender interference penalty of the game at the 19:48 mark of the first period, two goaltender interference penalties in a game equals an automatic game misconduct in the CCHL.
Ottawa out shot the Braves 18-7 in the 2nd Period and had a variety of beautiful scoring chances, but were ultimately unable to beat Goaltender Jake Begley who was named the games 1st star.
The Braves added two empty net goals with less then two minutes left in the 3rd Period including the fourth goal of the night which has been credited to Braves Goaltender Jake Begley, who was the last Brockville player to touch the puck before Ethan Mulhearn’s pass went under the stick of Max Blanchard at the point and all the way down into the Jr. Senators empty net.
The Jr. Senators and Braves will be back in action for Game Two in this first round series on Friday night from the Jim Durrell Sports Complex. Mason Detre, Josh Primeau and Matt Wilson will have the call of the game Friday night on mixlr.com/ojsradio, CKDJ 107.9 and on Hockey TV.
