(file photo)
By Jeff Gard/Today’s Northumberland
A strong power play was on full display for the host Amherstview Jets in a 4-2 win over the Port Hope Panthers on Wednesday evening in the opening game of their Provincial Junior Hockey League Tod Division semifinal playoff series.
Despite twice cutting the deficit to one, the Panthers trailed 2-1 after the first period and 3-1 by the end of the second.
“I don’t think we should be too upset with how we played,” said Nolan Stevenson, who scored a goal for the Panthers. “Obviously there’s some adjustments we have to make with the way they played and the way we have been playing systems-wise, but you have to win four games in a seven-game series so there’s one for them and there’s still lots of hockey to be played. Anything can happen in the playoffs.”
Wednesday night in Amherstview, the Jets jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Stevenson scored late in the opening frame on a goal assisted by Carter Clarke and Logan Kelly.
A power-play goal with eight seconds remaining in second period restored the two-goal lead for the Jets before Nathan Ford, assisted by Ethan Shore, scored near the 13-minute mark of the third to pull the Panthers back within one for a short time. Amherstview netted another goal with the man-advantage less than two minutes later.
Amherstview had three power-play goals in the contest, which Stevenson said is something the Panthers will need to shut down going forward.
“Their power play is one of the best power plays I’ve seen in this league since I started,” Stevenson said, adding the Jets have a strong group of veteran overage players in their lineup to contend with. “Special teams is a big factor in this series so staying disciplined for both teams really is going to be a key factor in who comes out on top.”
Port Hope was certainly battle-tested heading into the series against the Jets, which had a first-round bye. The Panthers knocked the Campbellford Rebels out in five games in their opening best-of-seven series, but four of the games went into overtime.
“Campbellford gave us a good run,” Stevenson said. “I think those games going into overtime and just how tight the series was, facing that adversity will definitely help us moving forward. For being a young team, I think it helps give us that playoff feel and the highs and lows of playoffs. You can’t ride too high, you can’t ride too low so I think that will help get us some experience under our belts.”
Game 2 of the series will be played Friday night at the Jack Burger Sports Complex in Port Hope with puck drop scheduled for 8 p.m.
Stevenson is looking forward to the Panthers returning to their home rink, which was buzzing during the club’s opening series with the Rebels.
“It was awesome. From my own experience, I’ve only had the one series of playoff hockey back in my first year and the last series against Campbellford the atmosphere was amazing. I can just imagine it will be amped up that much more at home for the second round.”
