HAGERSVILLE/GLANBROOK – The Glanbrook Rangers took a 2-1 lead in round one of the Jr. C playoffs against the Hagersville Hawks this past weekend. The Rangers opened the series with a 6-3 win on Feb. 4th in Glanbrook before the Hawks rebounded with a 3-2 win at home Saturday night. Back in Glanbrook, the Rangers took a 2-1 series lead Sunday with a 4-1 win over Hagersville.
Judging by the territorial pressure and possession time, Sunday’s game should have been much closer. Had it not been for a stellar performance by Matthew Venturelli in the Glanbrook net, allowing only one goal in 42 shots, it could have been an entirely different game.
The Rangers scored one goal in both the first and second periods, with Noah Mattison and Curtis Edwards doing the damage, respectively.
The Hawks’ Nick Sherwood finally got one past Venturelli at 2:31 of the third period but that would be all they’d get, as the Rangers’ Nathan Fiorino and Garet Batrynchuk netted two more – both on powerplays – for the final score and the series lead.
Saturday night in Hagersville, the Hawks were flying and doubled up on shots on the Rangers’ goal 24-12 on their way to the 3-2 win. Dan Pugliese scored on a Hagersville powerplay at 13:20 of the first period. There was no scoring in the second, but in the third period, Rangers’ Brad Parish scored on a Glanbrook powerplay to tie the game at 1-1.
Cole Martin got the lead back at 6:34, but less than a minute later Glanbrook tied it up again, thanks to Curtis Edawards. Brett Dykstra recorded the game winner for Hagersville at 9:27.
Game #4 was played Tuesday night in Glanbrook. Results were not available at press time. Game #5 comes back to the Hagersville Arena Thursday Feb. 11th with a 7:30 p.m. start.
