OHSWEKEN – The Six Nations Rivermen seem to be as strong as they need to be to win, while tightening up their own end of the floor to protect a lead. Both qualities will be needed if they are to repeat as Presidents Cup Champions for 2016.
The Rivermen were down 1-0 23 seconds into the first period of Game 3 of the best of five semi-final series against the Ennismore James Gang, Saturday, July 30th, at the Gaylord Powless Arena.
But that was as close as it would get as the Rivermen answered with goals by Dwayne Porter and Tom Montour to end the first period up 2-1.
Kyle Trolley evened the score at 2-2 early in the second, but the Rivermen opened it up in the second, out-scoring the James Gang, 6-3 for a two period score of 8-4.
Travis Bland, Wayne Hill, Layne Smith, Tom Montour, Stu Martin and Stu Hill accounted for the Rivermen’s second frame scoring.
Grant Crawly held the James Gang off in the third.
“We played well this series,” said goalie Grant Crawly following the sweep of the James Gang. “We knew they were coming out full blast and I think we were ready for them.”
Ready they were, downing Ennismore 6-5, 10-3 and 8-6.
“We kinda laid off them in the third, and took our foot off the pedal,” said Tom Montour of his team’s win.
Montour feels his team have the horses to take a serious run at the Presidents Cup again this year.
Throughout much of his Jr and pro career, Montour was a transition man and one of the best there is, winning recognition and respect as both amateur and pro. With the Rivermen, he has been given a more offensive role and has blossomed in that capacity with 19 goals and 17 assists in 13 regular season games. He has added five goals and three assists in three playoff starts so far.
The Brooklin Merchants were busy taking a four to one series against Owen Sound to draw the high flying Rivermen as a final partner for the Clare Levack Memorial Trophy, and a possible repeat as Presidents Cup winners.
The Sr. B finals begin against the Merchants at the Gaylord Powless Arena.
