By Josh Primeau
Hawkesbury, ON – The Ottawa Junior Senators were able to break their two game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Hawkesbury Hawks.
Coming into this game, the Jr. Sens were on a mini two game losing streak, and were looking to avoid having their longest losing streak of the season.
The first period was a very strategically played first period. Ottawa had 9 shots, while Hawkesbury had just 7, but both teams were able to lock down their defensive ends quite successfully, not allowing a goal in the opening frame.
It wasn’t until the 10:59 mark of the first period until Ottawa was able to capitalize on some very good work in the offensive zone. Conor Smart opened the scoring with his 7th of the season, taking a beautiful cross ice feed from Tucker McIntosh. Chris Piché drew an assist on the goal as well, with some hard work in front of the net.
Ottawa would then extend their lead to two goals with a beautiful high tip goal from David Bérubé. It was a lunch pale shift for the line of Bérubé, Broaders and White, as they were able to hem the Hawks in their own zone for almost a minute before they even got a scoring chance. Some excellent hard work from Broaders along the boards and he was able to squirt the puck free for White who passed it back to Eftimovski at the point. He then snapped it D-to-D for Brant who unloaded a one-timer which was deflected in the high slot by Bérubé and up over the shoulder of Johnson.
The Jr. Sens came out flying in the 3rd period as well, as they were able to once again extend their lead this time to 3 goals. It was once again Bérubé in the right place at the right time, getting a pass from Vincent Velocci, and he was able to stuff it through the five-hole of Johnson.
Hawksbury would respond shortly after whit a goal on a very hard working shift of their own. Jermie Payant was able to put one just under the bar, to break the shutout bid for Felix Schnell. Azzaro Tinling drew an assist on the play and it was largely his doing as to why the goal was scored.
OJS then locked it down from their, as they were able to hang on for a 3-1 win. OJS improves their record to 7-1 over the Hawks in the past eight meetings between the two clubs.
Coming up this week, the Jr. Sens will travel to Carleton Place for the Showcase game against the Brockville Braves, and they will be back at home for a Saturday night tilt against the Cornwall Colts. But before then, the Jim Durrell Complex will be home to the best players in the CCHL for the CCHL all-star game coming up this Monday.
You can catch that game on Hockey TV as well as on the home of your Ottawa Jr. Senators on mixl.com/ojsradio.
