Saturday Highlights: Primed for playoffs

Saturday March 5, 2016

The OHL playoff picture is getting crowded after adding two new clubs to the postseason party on Saturday.

Two spots remain up for grabs in the Eastern Conference after the Peterborough Petes and Niagara IceDogs put an ‘X’ next to their names with home ice victories.

Overage veteran Hunter Garlent’s second consecutive hat-trick helped the Petes reach the 30-win mark as the maroon and white prevailed over Mississauga 5-4.

Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Blake Siebenaler’s two goals helped send the Niagara IceDogs back to the playoffs for a 10th straight year after defeating the Sudbury Wolves 3-2.

Here’s a look at the rest of Saturday’s OHL action.

PETERBOROUGH 5 MISSISSAUGA 4 – Three third period goals from Hunter Garlent including a late powerplay game winner pushed the Peterborough Petes past the Mississauga Steelheads 5-4 to clinch an Eastern Conference playoff berth. Garlent’s second hat-trick in as many games gives him three on the season, the most by a Petes player since Marcel Rodman netted three during the 2000-01 season. The win gives Peterborough their second 30+ win season in the last 10 years as they overcame a 3-1 deficit with other contributions from Greg Betzold (1-2–3), Dominik Masin (0-4–4) and Eric Cornel (0-2–2). Peterborough went 3-for-4 on the powerplay, outshooting the Steelheads 41-22. Mississauga will have to wait another day to lock down a playoff spot, suffering their fourth straight loss as Sean Day, Michael McLeod, Mason Marchment and Stephen Gibson found the back of the net.
GAME SUMMARY • HIGHLIGHTS

NIAGARA 3 SUDBURY 2 – Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Blake Siebenaler scored twice to help the Niagara IceDogs edge visiting Sudbury 3-2 to claim an Eastern Conference playoff spot. Minnesota Wild draftee Pavel Jenys had a goal and two assists while Alex Nedeljkovic made 35 saves in goal. Ryan Valentini scored 25 seconds into the first period for the Wolves while rookie winger Dmitry Sokolov scored for the seventh time in the past six games. The IceDogs return to the playoffs for a 10th straight season and sit tied with Peterborough for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
GAME SUMMARY • HIGHLIGHTS

KINGSTON 7 FLINT 2 – The Kingston Frontenacs set a new franchise record, collecting their 88th point of the season as Florida Panthers prospect Lawson Crouse had a hat-trick in a 7-2 win over Flint. Ryan Verbeek and Spencer Watson both had a goal and an assist while Jeremy Helvig made 29 saves in goal. The Firebirds had goals from Francesco Vilardi and Keenan Reynolds but managed to outshoot the Fronts 31-30. With their 88th point, the Frontenacs surpass the former franchise record of 87 points set in 1990 and 1995. They’ll look to set a new franchise wins record with their 43rd of the season in Windsor on Sunday.
GAME SUMMARY • HIGHLIGHTS

BARRIE 5 OWEN SOUND 3 – The Barrie Colts clinched home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs with a 5-3 win over visiting Owen Sound, putting an end to the Attack’s three game winning streak. The Colts came back from a 3-2 deficit early in the third with three goals in the latter half of the period. Andrew Mangiapane and Justin Scott led the way with a pair of markers each while blueliner Rasmus Andersson potted the 20th goal of his OHL career. The Colts collect at least a point in a 16th straight home game, a 15-0-0-1 run that dates back to December 28th. New Jersey Devils prospect Mackenzie Blackwood made 32 saves, being beaten twice off the stick of Petrus Palmu while defenceman Tyler MacArthur’s first of the season stood as Owen Sound’s other goal. The Colts were outshot 35-25 but took their fourth straight win to improve to 39-20-0-2.
GAME SUMMARY • HIGHLIGHTS

HAMILTON 5 GUELPH 3 – The Hamilton Bulldogs collected a much needed two points as Matthew Strome (2-1–3) and Matt Luff (1-2–3) teamed up in a 5-3 victory over visiting Guelph. The Bulldogs took out a 3-0 first period lead before Guelph goals from Nick Deakin-Poot and Garrett McFadden brought the Storm to within one. MacKenzie Entwistle’s sixth of the season was the eventual game winner as the Dogs remain within two points of Oshawa for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with the Generals holding a game in hand. Kaden Fulcher made 30 saves in goal for Hamilton as the Bulldogs ended a three game slide on home ice.
GAME SUMMARY • HIGHLIGHTS

WINDSOR 4 NORTH BAY 2 – Arizona Coyotes prospect Christian Fischer stayed hot, scoring his 35th and 36th goals of the season to lead the Windsor Spitfires past visiting North Bay 4-2. Fischer now has goals in each of his last four games, along with 10 in his last seven contests. Hayden McCool and Logan Brown also scored for Windsor while rookie goaltender Michael DiPietro made 28 saves for his 15th win. A goal and an assist from Mike Amadio gave him his 217th career OHL point, pushing him ahead of Luke Lynes for fifth in Battalion franchise scoring. Mathew Santos netted his 26th of the season for the Troops in the loss while goaltender Jake Kment made 24 saves. The Spitfires have had the Battalion’s number on home ice, having not lost to the Troops at home during the regular season since October 30, 2004.
GAME SUMMARY • HIGHLIGHTS