Eagles Take Game 2 in Napanee

Article by I. Schoonderbeek/Media by C. Archer

Clarington Eagles’ head coach Dean Baumhauer stated that he wanted his club to take at least two of the first three games in the Eastern Conference final against the Tod Division champion Napanee Raiders. Mission accomplished.

Clarington rode the red-hot goaltending of Oliver Webster to a 5-2 victory in Napanee Saturday evening, taking a 2-0 series lead in their best-of-seven series. The club will now look to take a 3-0 stranglehold in the series when the clubs battle once again on Sunday afternoon in Bowmanville.

Like in game one two days earlier, Napanee got on the scoreboard first. Fourteen minutes into the opening frame, a Raiders one-timer on the powerplay hit the post before bouncing in off the back of Webster’s pad.

Clarington would even things up on a powerplay opportunity of their own with under two minutes remaining in the period. Adam Klaas converted a rebound from the edge of the crease on the play from Cole Williamson and Kolby Poulin.

Scoring chances were at a premium throughout the contest. But in the second period, the Eagles made sure their chances counted!

Just under six minutes in, rookie defender Kayden Hambly took a pass from Jordan Shaw at the point and buried a wrist shot through a screen for his first playoff goal to put Clarington up 2-1. The rugged defender put in a strong, physical performance over 60 minutes.

“I had a great screen in front from the boys, and I could see that I had the top corner open,” said Hambly. “It was a high pace of play tonight, which I like.”

At the 14-minute mark, the Eagles extended their lead. Klaas got in hard on the forecheck to start the play down low before notching his second of the game, converting a pass in front from Kyle Smith.

Klaas’ two tallies were his first in nine games after scoring in each of the first five playoff contests for the Eagles this season. “I told him I don’t want him to play like he’s Patrick Kane,” said Baumhauer. “I want him to play like he’s 6’4” and 210lbs, and that’s what he did. Two big goals by the big guy tonight!”

Before the period was out, Mitch Davies buried a rebound on the powerplay to hand the Eagles a commanding 4-1 lead heading into the third.

Webster was fantastic in the Clarington net all evening. During an early third-period Napanee powerplay, the goalie of the year made several huge saves to preserve the Clarington lead.

The Raiders did manage to get one by him on a screened point shot halfway through the final frame to narrow the lead to 4-2. But that’s as close as they would get. With 33 seconds to play and the Napanee starter pulled for an extra attacker, Mitch Davies slapped the puck the length of the ice for his second of the night to put an exclamation point on the victory.

“We were down two key guys in the middle, two key penalty killers (Joe Boice and Hayes Bell), so right off the hop, we were in tough tonight,” said Baumhauer. “We had to do a lot of juggling with the lines tonight. But the guys gave an outstanding effort. It was a real gut check.”

With holes in the forward lines to fill, Baumhauer inserted Everitt Corneil into the forward group Saturday. Something the team has done with the lanky defensemen a couple times previously down the stretch this season. Corneil responded well to the role. “When you’re down key guys, sometimes it creates an opportunity for others,” said Baumhauer. “Corny stepped up and played left wing for us tonight and did a great job. He played a simple game, was strong on the wall, and played heavy.”

The two clubs have less than 24 hours to recover before the pivotal game three set for Sunday at Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex. Sunday’s game is an early 3:25 pm start.