Ottawa, ON – The Ottawa Jr. Senators kicked off their 2022 Bogart Cup playoff run with a 6-1 beat down over the Smiths Falls Bears in Game 1 on home ice Wednesday night.
Thomas Freel notched his second career CCHL playoff goal, starting off the scoring spree, firing one home from the slot to break a scoreless tie with under seven minutes to play in the opening 20.
As OJS controlled the play for the majority of the first frame, the Bears found a way through the Jr. Senators’ defence as Riley Thompson was able to bang home the equalizer just over four minutes later.
With Massimo Gentile in the box just 46 seconds later, Simon Isabelle forced a turnover at the left half board to centre it for Julian Recine, who made no mistake, wiring home the shorthanded goal to restore the OJS lead.
In the second, OJS continued the pressure, getting the second on the night from both Freel and Recine to have a commanding lead through 40.
As the Jr. Senators continued to roll, Xavier Guillemette joined in on the party, redirecting home his first goal since November 28. Just under a minute and a half later, Vincent Velocci found his way to the slot and converted to finish off the scoring.
The key to the OJS scoring in Wednesday’s win – Simon Isabelle, who picked up five primary assists in his first CCHL playoff game.
OJS captures their first CCHL playoff win since winning the Bogart Cup on April 21, 2019.
William Desmarais stopped 15 for the win, while Bears starter Will McEvoy turned aside 25 of 30, before being replaced by Dalton McBride early in the third.
The Jr. Senators went 1-for-3 on the man advantage while the Bears went 0-for-3.
The Ottawa Jr. Senators are back in action for Game 2 of their first-round quarter-final action on tonight at 7:30 from the Smiths Falls Memorial Centre. Catch all the action with Mason Detre and Davide Disipio on the Jr. Senators Broadcast Network at Mixlr.com/OJSradio and on Hockey TV.
