Jeff Gard/Today’s Northumberland
Two unanswered goals in the third period Tuesday night gave the Wasaga River Dragons their first win of the Greater Metro Jr. A Hockey League final and cut the Northumberland Stars series lead to one.
The score was tied 3-3 by the end of the first period and 4-4 after two before Wasaga pulled away to the 6-4 victory in Game 3 of the best-of-seven Russell Cup championship series.
Northumberland still holds a 2-1 series advantage with Game 4 set for Friday night in Wasaga Beach. The win by the River Dragons also ensures there will be a Game 5 on Saturday night in Colborne.
The Stars were up 2-0 in the first period Tuesday night, but once Wasaga replied with three straight tallies in that opening frame they never trailed again in Game 3.
Victor Freedeke led the way with a hat trick for Wasaga, including both third-period goals. Zennon Edwards, Devon Hettiarachchi, Matt Mazzotta and Brayden Bowen scored for Northumberland.
RUSSELL CUP SCHEDULE
Friday, March 20
Northumberland 7 Wasaga 6
Saturday, March 21
Northumberland 3 Wasaga 1
Tuesday, March 24
Wasaga 6 Northumberland 4
Friday, March 27
Northumberland at Wasaga, 7 p.m. at Wasaga Stars Arena
Saturday, March 28
Wasaga at Northumberland, 7:30 p.m. at Keeler Centre in Colborne
Monday, March 30
*Northumberland at Wasaga, 7 p.m. at Wasaga Stars Arena
Tuesday, March 31
*Wasaga at Northumberland, 7:30 p.m. at Keeler Centre in Colborne
* – if necessary