PORT HAWKESBURY, N.S. — The Sackville Blazers’ penalty kill, led by goaltender Justin Sumarah, was the first star of game five, as the visiting Blazers eked out a 3-2 win over the Strait Pirates, and now take a 3-2 series lead into game six, of the Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League final, Friday night in Sackville.
Especially in the second period, where the Blazers had four minor and one double minor penalty to kill off, the Pirates mounted chance-after-chance but only cashed in once, when hometown player Bryce Reynolds took advantage of a nice centering feed from Josh MacMillan.
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That made the score 3-1 with the Blazers scoring all of their goals in the first period; one of those on a power-play.
The Pirates scored once in the third when captain Matthew Morgan’s point-shot caromed off a couple of players, including teammate Josh Foster, and behind Sumarah. Taylor Pierce also drew an assist on the fortunate bounce.
The Pirates pushed hard for the equalizer but found themselves, too often, killing their own penalties in the third period, which stymied their attack; an attack already under pressure from trying to solve the steady Sumarah.
In total, the Pirates fired 39 shots for the game while their goaltender, Cody Smith, faced 22.
Game six is a 7:30 p.m. puck-drop at the Sackville Arena and if a game seven is required, it will be back at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre Saturday (April 20) with, as well, a 7:30 start time.
