By Steven Ellis
The Georgetown Raiders have forced game seven in the Southwest Conference Semifinals after defeating the North York Rangers 4-3 on Sunday.
The Rangers have been a dominant team when scoring first this year, and that’s no secret. So with 5:56 left in the opening period, the team took the 1-0 lead after Noah Jordan set up his good friend Grayden Gottschalk in front of the net, with the former Oshawa Generals forward beating Troy Timpano to make it 1-0 on the power play.
But the Raiders were in full control in the second period, taking the 3-1 lead before the period was over. It all started on the power play when, at 4:11 on the power play, Brendan D’Agostino found a little opening between the legs of Colby Muise and squeaked it in, tying the game at one.
25 seconds later, the Raiders scored again. This time, Zac Elson pinched in and went high on Muise, scoring again to make it 2-1. Jonathan Hampton would add a third Raiders goal before the period hit the halfway mark, taking full advantage of the contest at hand as the team was trying to avoid elimination.
The Rangers had all the momentum heading into the third period and before the frame was half over, they found themselves down by one. Peter Muzyka, who had just one playoff goal in his career before tonight, made it 3-2 with a great shot from the point, beating Muise high to make it 3-2 and bring themselves closer to tying the battle.
But shortly after, the Raiders got their two-goal advantage back. This time, Elson would pot his second of the night after shooting quickly after the draw, beating Muise over the glove to make it 4-2.
With over five minutes left to play, the Rangers brought themselves back within a goal. This time, Nick Campoli would set up Noah Robinson in front of the net, with Robinson getting his sixth point of the series after scoring on the doorstep to make it 4-3 late. Unfortunately for North York, it wasn’t enough as Georgetown would force game seven with the victory.
Both teams will meet up again on Monday night at 8:30 PM at Alcott Arena in Georgetown, with the winner taking on the team that moves on between the Oakville Blades and Toronto Patriots later tonight. Let’s get some Rangers fans out to support us tomorrow!
Photo from Steven Ellis/North York Rangers
