With a win over the Frankford Huskies on Wednesday night, Port Hope Panthers are advancing in the Provincial Junior Hockey League playoffs.
The Panthers edged the Huskies 2-1 in Game 5 at the Jack Burger Sports Complex in Port Hope in front of nearly 400 spectators to win the best-of-seven series 4-1. The Panthers lost the series opener before winning four straight.
Drew Clapperton and Connor MacGregor scored for the Panthers, which led 2-0 after two periods of play. Oz Paziuk and MacGregor assisted on Clapperton’s power-play goal to open the scoring late in the first. Clayton Farrow earned a helper on MacGregor’s second-period tally.
Ben Smith, assisted by Blake Ellis and Ryan Turney, answered back for the Huskies in the third.
Port Hope goaltender Sam Dingle made 29 saves, including some key ones late in the contest.
The Panthers will now face the Napanee Raiders in the PJHL’s Tod Division semifinals. Watch for the schedule when it’s released.
Author: Jeff Gard
