Despite dropping the first game of their opening round series to the Buffalo Jr. Sabres, the Leamington Flyers ran off four straight wins to eliminate the pesky Sabres four games to one, capping it off with a 5-1 victory Sunday, March 15 at home.
With the series tied 1-1, the Flyers hosted the Sabres for game three of their best-of-seven first round series on Tuesday, March 10. It was a game that didn’t disappoint for its intensity and action which was end-to-end throughout. The same was true for last Thursday’s game five in Buffalo.
Leamington won both games 4-2.
Altiman and teammate Matthew Thomas were acknowledged as west conference players of the month for February prior to the puck drop on Tuesday night, where the Sabres jumped out to quick 1-0 lead just 22 seconds in.
Redemption came at the 11-minute mark when Brendan Cooke tied it up when on a screen shot.
Buffalo regained the lead on a powerplay early in the second and once again the Flyers knotted the contest with Cooke once again bulging the twine.
Joshua Cleary connected with Ethan Walker, whose right lane blast appeared to deflect past Alessi and put the Flyers ahead 3-2 at 5:45.
With 24 seconds left in the game and Alessi pulled for an extra attacker during the final 90 seconds, Brendan Cooke cruised down the right lane with the puck and as he attempted a shot on the vacated Sabres’ net but was hauled down by a Sabres player. The refs gathered and awarded Cooke an empty-net goal to complete his hattrick.
“I don’t think it was our best game of the three so far,” said head coach Dale Mitchell. “However, we pulled one out and kept home ice advantage. We need to have the energy and pace like we did in game one at home.”
Thursday night at Buffalo, after a scoreless first, the Flyers grabbed a 2-0 second period lead which vanished in the third before some timely shooting propelled the Flyers to a win and a 3-1 series lead.
The Flyers goals were from Spencer Vandenberg, Landon Pickersgill, Reid Hayes and Landon Bernard.
Sunday’s game five at Leamington was a critical one for both squads. Buffalo needed a win to stay alive and the Flyers wanted one to move on to the next series. The Flyers got their wish by posting a 5-1 victory in front of 931 enthusiastic fans.
The Flyers took a convincing 2-0 first period lead and doubled it in the middle frame before the Jr. Sabres broke the shutout bid early in the third.
Leading the way for Leamington was Brayden Degelas who slotted two goals, while Ethan Walker, Joshua Cleary and Adrian Bosev cranked out one apiece.
In the penalty-filled contest, Buffalo took 62 minutes while the Flyers had 52.
Tre Altiman halted 20 of 21 shots, while Buffalo starter Owen Scott saved 37 of 42.
The Flyers now advance to the second round and will face the Collingwood Blues. Dates are undetermined at press time.
