BRIDGEWATER – It’s the miracle ending that fell just short.
The Amherst CIBC Wood Gundy Ramblers season is over after dropping an 8-2 decision to the South Shore Lumberjacks in the seventh, and deciding, game of their best-of-seven Eastlink South Division semifinal series on Monday in Bridgewater.
“It was a rough night, I just don’t think we played our best and they took advantage of their opportunities,” Ramblers coach and general manager Jeff LeBlanc said following the game. “We made three mental mistakes in the first period and they made us pay for it. The boys wanted to win tonight and the effort was there, but the other team executed on their chances and we didn’t.”
Playing before more than 1,200 fans at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre, the Lumberjacks jumped out to a 3-1 after one period, opening the scoring moments into the game and then opening the floodgates in the third with four more goals – including three in 1:19, to put the game, and the series, out of reach.
Mateo Short had three goals and an assist for South Shore while Aidan Casey had two goals with Christian Tsukamoto, Adam Crowe and Logan O’Neil each scoring once. Layton Parsons and Jordan King replied for the Ramblers with Will Bower, Will Lafford and Brady Griffin-Hefford each adding assists.
LeBlanc said his players showed a lot of character getting back into the series after being down 3-1.
“As I told the boys in the room, everyone counted us out when it was 3-1 for them and we made it a series. Unfortunately, we didn’t have our best game today. In the playoffs, a bad bounce here and there can turn a game around and they were in control right from the start of this one,” he said. “Unfortunately, that’s hockey and in Game 7s some guys play well and some guys don’t pay well and that’s what happened tonight.”
South Shore moves to the division final where they will play the winner of the Yarmouth-Truro series. Game 7 in that series is Tuesday night in Yarmouth.
LeBlanc said both series showed how close the division is and the loss, while tough, is something he hopes his returning players can use as they prepare for next season when the club hosts the Fred Page Cup.
It was also bittersweet as the club will say goodbye to a number of veterans including Jordan King, Layton Parsons, Will Bower, Brady Griffin-Hefford, Jake Barter and Lucas Sangster.
Twitter: @ADNdarrell
