The Milton Menace are bringing the fight to the Leamington Flyers.
On Friday, April 4th, the OJHL West Conference Finals began at the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre, in front of 1136 people.
It was the Menace’s mid-season acquisition, arguably the best mid-season acquisition in franchise history, Luke Johnston who got the boys on the board first. His 9th of the postseason was assisted by Justin Dezoete and Madden MacDougall. The Menace led 1-0 after 20 minutes of action.
In the second period, Leamington would tie things in the first five minutes. Johnston would then take the lead back for Milton, with the help of Captain Graeme MacAuley. Ivan Fabjan would add some cushion for Milton, with his 9th of the Playoffs assisted by MacDougall and Markus Hicks. It was 3-1 Menace after two periods of play.
Early in the third, Nathan Catalano would get on the scoresheet. His 1st of the postseason was assisted by Gavin Sheehan. That’d be all for Milton, as the Menace beat the Flyers 4-1.
In net for Milton was Carter Bickle. He stopped 23 of 24 shots, giving him the .958% save percentage and the win.
The Menace then hosted the Flyers on Sunday, April 6th for game two. 980 people packed the Milton Memorial Arena.
It wasn’t the best start for the Menace as Leamington scored three unanswered goals in the first period to make it a tough hill to climb for Milton.
In the second period, Nathan Catalano would bury his 2nd of the weekend (and postseason), assisted by Ivan Fabjan and Cole Semeniuk, to get the Menace on the board. At the end of the frame, Justin Dezoete scored his 3rd of the Playoffs, with help from Semeniuk and Luke Johnston. It was 3-2 Flyers after two periods of play.
Milton was unable to tie things up in the final period, so Leamington would get the win and tie the series at one.
Despite letting in three goals in the first period, Carter Bickle played the whole game for Milton (outside of when the net was empty late in the third). Bickle stopped 31 of 34 shots for the .911% save percentage.
The Menace hit the road again for game three on Tuesday, April 8th at the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre in Leamington. Puck drop will be 7:10 p.m.
Game four will then be on Friday, April 11th at the Milton Memorial Arena. Game time is listed for 7:30 p.m. Buy your tickets for any/all home games here.
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