BRIDGEWATER – A four-goal second period was the difference as the South Shore Lumberjacks drew first blood in their best-of-seven Eastlink South Division semifinal series with a 5-2 win in Bridgewater on Wednesday night.
After Brady Griffen-Hefford scored midway through the opening period, the Lumberjacks took control of the game on a pair of goals by former Rambler defenceman Matt Paul and single goals by Mateo Short and Mitchell Arseneau.
Layton Parsons pulled the Ramblers back to within a pair just over four minutes into the final period, but Samuel Cyr-Ledoux rounded out the scoring beating Joel Goguen with just under three minutes to play in the game.
“I thought we played really well. Yes, we got beat 5-1 but I though the boys played well. A lot of guys stepped up their game, but we just couldn’t find the back of the net,” Ramblers coach and general manager Jeff LeBlanc said following the game. “I thought we played really well in the first period, but they scored those goals in the second period and it was hard to come back.”
Amherst outshot South Shore 41-39, but had a difficult time getting the puck by MacKenzie Janes.
LeBlanc was disappointed in the number of penalties called in the contest with Amherst taking eight compared to just three for the Lumberjacks.
“I’m not going to blame the referees but this is Game 1 of the playoffs. We haven’t had eight penalties in a game all year. It’s pretty frustrating coming into a playoff game and you’re have to kill off 16 minutes out of 60,” he said. “We were one of the least penalized teams in the league, but to get eight penalties is unusual for us.”
He was complimentary of the Lumberjacks, who showed up to play and brought it to the Ramblers, especially in the second period.
“I knew they were going to come back at us in the second period,” LeBlanc said. “Give them credit, they worked hard and kept coming at us all night. Their goalie played very well and they took advantage of their opportunities.”
Game 2 is Saturday back at the Amherst Stadium at 7 p.m.
LeBlanc knows there will be a supportive crowd back home for Game 2 and added he hopes his players create more traffic in front of the South Shore net while playing more disciplined.
NOTES – The Ramblers board of directors is reminding fans to be respectful of players, coaches and other fans. Fans are asked to remain seated during play and there’s no running permitted in hallways or upper track.
As well, derogatory remarks or profane language will not be tolerated and could result result in fans being ejected from the stadium.
Jordan King, who was the latest Rambler to cross the 200-point plateau in his career, was selected to the MHL All-Star team at centre, along with Campbell Pickard of the Truro Bearcats.
Twitter: @ADNdarrell
