Sharks eliminate Flags in five, face Lakeshore next

Despite a series win of 4-1, the outcome of the Wheatley Omstead Sharks playoff future was only finalized with just over a minute left in game five.

After dropping game three at home, the Sharks — on the back of a 40-save performance by Ethan Handley — regrouped with a 4-1 victory in game four at Mooretown last Wednesday, March 6. 

Nursing a one-goal lead after two on an unassisted tally by Brady Drouillard late in the middle frame, a Shannon Olson shorthanded goal at the 19-second mark of the third would hold up as the winner. 

The Sharks would up the count to 3-0 with a Kyle Beau powerplay tally at five minutes and close out their scoresheet with a last-minute powerplay goal by Olson. Mooretown could only respond to close the gap to 3-1 midway through the third.

With the series on the line on Friday night in Wheatley, the Sharks radically tightened up their defensive play with Handley only facing 19 shots. He was top-notch throughout with many quality saves. 

Being outshot by over double, only opposing netminder Chartrand kept the visitors close with some miraculous saves and stealing a victory. 

Midway through the first, Kyle Bleau gave the locals the lead with Mooretown tying the score midway through the second. 

This would set the stage for a thrilling third period which saw the Sharks kill off three consecutive penalties in a shutdown effort. With just over a minute left, smooth skating defenceman Kyle Kelly on an end-to-end rush, beat Chartrand short side top shelf that Judah Raffoul says is “where your mama keeps the peanut butter.”

Looking ahead now to Lakeshore, Coach Josh Carnevale felt the boys responded well after the home loss. 

“We understood Chartrand could steal a game or two and he gave it his best shot,” he said. “Handley outshone him though in the end. We’ve been this close before and we’ve added guys with key playoff experience. We believe we can get this done.”