Sharks lead series 2-1 over Flags

The first round of the 2024 playoffs finds the Wheatley Omstead Sharks grinding their way against an admirable opponent, the Mooretown Flags.

In game one at home on Wednesday, February 28, the Flags jumped to an early 2-0 lead with the Sharks battling back with goals by Vito Alfano and Issac Legood to tie the score, only to surrender a late tally to find themselves down 3-2 after one. 

They settled their nerves and took over the second period with a decisive shot advantage but could only manage to tie the score on a point shot by Kyle Kelly. 

A wide-open third period saw outstanding goaltending at each end, but the Sharks would steal the 4-3 victory with a Shannon Olson tip-in at the 13-minute mark. 

Ethan Handley faced 33 shots with the Sharks firing 36.

Game two on Saturday in Mooretown saw a complete team effort sparked by the first-period acrobatics of goaltender Handley with each team firing 15 shots on net. 

Kyle Bleau and Issac Legood potted markers early in the frame and the Sharks never looked back. They took command of the game with two more in the second with Vito Alfano and Shannon Olson upping the count to 4-0 after two. 

Darby Drouillard’s early third-period score closed out a perfect 5-0 shutout win for Handley with a 36-save performance.

The Sharks failed to put a 3-0 series death grip on the Flags Monday night at home, with their rally falling short in a 4-3 loss. 

In a wide-open first period, 34 shots were fired at the goalies, resulting in a 1-1 tie. 

The Sharks carried the majority of great opportunities but were stymied on many glorious opportunities with only Josh Chauvin scoring. 

A fluke second-period bounce eluded Handley and opened the way for the Flags to mount a 4-1 lead midway through the middle period. 

The Sharks tallied late with a Vito Alfano marker to find themselves down by two entering the third and a last minute third-period goal by Brendan Pitre was not enough to secure a tie.  

Shots favoured the Sharks 42-36. 

“A total team effort from the goaltender out put us in a commanding position through two games,” said coach Josh Carnevale. “The Flags didn’t buckle under pressure, and we will have to be at our best to advance to the next round.”

The series shifts to Mooretown on Wednesday and returns to Wheatley Friday night (8 p.m.). If necessary, game 6 will go Saturday in Mooretown and game 7 Sunday back in Wheatley (4:30).