From the Vees web site ;
http://www.kingstonvoyageurs.on.ca/news_story.php?search=248\
February 23rd 2008
The Kingston KIMCO Voyageurs scored two power play goals and added a short-handed marker to score a 5-2 victory in the first game of the Eastern Conference Semi-Final Series with the Port Hope Predators. The Vees battled back from two separate one goal deficits through the first half of the game, but never looked back after Mitch Latchford’s short-handed game winner. “I thought we played pretty well tonight, considering we haven’t played a game in over two weeks. I think we got better as the game went on,” said Head Coach Evan Robinson.
The Predators opened the scoring in the first period on a power play, when Vees forward Cole Weedmark was given a five minute major for checking from behind. Andrew Taylor took advantage as he snapped a shot high into the back of the net past Vees goaltender Matt Hache to give the Predators a 1-0 lead after the opening period.
The 1-0 Predator lead stood until the midway mark of the second period, when the Vees took advantage of a 4 on 3 power play opportunity, as Andrew Marcoux banged in a rebound of a Ben Munroe blast from the point.
The game would not stay tied for long, as the Vees took a penalty on the ensuing face-off and the Predators went right back down the ice a scored a 4 on 3 power play goal of their own, when Jeremy McCarty found Chad Dunlop on the backdoor to put the Predators back in front.
The Vees would draw even a few minutes later, as Josh Dadic tipped home a Tyler Hill point shot up and over the arm of Predators goaltender Billy Stone, just seconds after a Port Hope penalty had expired.
Just over one minute later, it was Vick Schlueter stripping the puck off Predators top defenseman Trevor Koverko and setting up the short-handed goal by Latchford, who was able to tap home the loose puck at the crease and give the Vees a 3-2 lead heading into the dressing room after two periods of play.
A scary incident at the end of the second period, saw Port Hope sniper Tyler Miller get cut in the back of the ankle by the skate of a Vees player in a freak accident. Fortunately for everyone involved, Dr. Jennifer Hacking and her medical staff were in attendance and were able to assist the Port Hope training staff in bandaging up the wound enough for Miller to make it back to Port Hope to have it stitched up.
13 seconds into the final period, Port Hope’s regular season and playoff scoring leader Chad Dunlop was tossed from the game for hitting the Vees Vick Schlueter from behind.
The Vees wasted no time taking advantage of the power play, as Andrew Marcoux undressed Stone and back-handed a puck into the open net to give the Vees a 4-2 lead.
Moments later Phil McIlhone blasted a shot from the blue-line right through Stone and under the cross bar and referee Sean Jenkins signaled goal and the Vees thought they had taken a 5-2 lead, but after conferring with his linesman and the goal judge, the goal was waived off, saying the puck did not cross the line.
Jacob Wright sealed the Game One victory, when he out-muscled Koverko and broke in on a partial breakaway and beat Stone with a quick snap shot just over the pad on the blocker side midway through the final period.
The Vees shut the door on the Predators the rest of the way, holding them to just six shots in the final period.
Andrew Marcoux was the Vees first star with a two goal performance, while Michael Moreau was the second star, with a very strong, hard-working performance and Matt Hache was the third star stopping 33 of 35 shots fired his way on the night.
All in all, it was a very strong opening performance by the Vees and several Voyageur players could have been selected as stars on this night.
Captain Brandon Perry was strong all night, Vick Schlueter and Ben Munroe chipped in with a pair of assists each, Mitch Latchford scored the short-handed game winner, James Cameron blocked a huge shot late in the second period and was physical throughout the night, as was feisty Vees forward Brett Jendra.
The Vees defense was very strong defensively all game long and also chipped in with five assists on the night as a group.
“We sure didn’t have any passengers tonight and that’s what we’re gonna need moving forward if we want to advance,” concluded Robinson.
Game Two of the series goes Sunday afternoon in Port Hope, with a 2:00PM start time from the Jack Burger Sports Complex.
Game Three is back in Kingston on Thursday evening at 7:30PM.
