Eagles Drop Game Two in the Third

PJHL Semifinals: Clarington Eagles vs. Georgina Ice – Game 2 Recap

For the fourth consecutive year, the Clarington Eagles and the Georgina Ice meet in the postseason. While the Eagles have swept the Ice for the last three years, this season brought a new challenge: Georgina holding home-ice advantage. After the Eagles silenced the home crowd by taking Game 1, they returned to the GBRC looking to defend their own barn in Game 2.

Before puck drop, the PJHL recognized Blake Peters Davey as the Player of the Month—a fitting start for what would be an eventful night for the forward.

First Period: Trading Punches

The Eagles came out flying, creating several early chances. Ben Stycuk nearly opened the scoring on a breakaway, but Georgina’s Aidan Lindsay stood tall in net. That save proved crucial as Georgina struck first, with Austin Paulmert burying a rebound to make it 1-0. However, Stycuk didn’t have to wait long for redemption. Following a Georgina penalty, he fired home a power-play goal—his first of the playoffs—to knot the game at 1-1 heading into the intermission.

Second Period: The Seesaw Battle

Georgina wasted no time in the second, as Antonio Cerqua scored just 1:01 into the period to regain the lead. The Eagles battled back later in the frame when Marcus Mori jumped on a rebound, sweeping it past a diving Lindsay to tie it at 2-2. With less than a minute remaining in the period, Blake Peters Davey was hauled down and awarded a penalty shot. He made no mistake, burying the chance to give Clarington a 3-2 lead and all the momentum.

Third Period: A Wild Finish

Mirroring the second period, Georgina struck early in the third with a Bryce McKee wraparound goal to tie it at 3-3. The Eagles answered back with a perfect shot from Brayden Hicks to make it 4-3, but the lead was short-lived. In a stunning 20-second span, back-to-back goals by Carson McKenzie and McKee flipped the game on its head, putting the Ice up 5-4. A power-play goal by Seth Kirou and an empty-netter by McKee sealed the deal, resulting in a 7-4 loss for the Eagles.

Looking Ahead: Protect the Nest

This marks Georgina’s first playoff win against the Eagles in four seasons and shifts the home-ice advantage back in their favor. With the series tied, the Eagles must find a way to win on the road this Tuesday before returning home for a massive Game 4.

Eagles fans, we need you! Come out to the GBRC this Thursday night, bring the noise, and help the boys take control of this series.

Come fly with your Clarington Eagles!

By Mike Jackman