Sports - March 3, 2010

Local Sports Flash

By Kevin Wickham

Great Lakes League Roundup

The GLJCHL playoffs are down to the division finals after the Dresden Jr. Kings upset the second-seeded Mooretown Flags last Wednesday night in game seven on Mooretown ice. Dresden used three first-period goals and 28 saves from goalkeeper Eric Steinman to win 6-2 in the deciding game. The Jr. Kings had led the series three games to two, with a chance to wrap up the North Division semi-final series in game six on home ice, but the Flags staved off elimination winning 4-2.

Dresden kicked off the North Division final on Friday night at home against the regular season champion Wallaceburg Lakers, who had been sitting idle since Feb. 19 after eliminating their first round opponent, Alvinston, in four straight games. In game one, Wallaceburg blanked Dresden 4-0. Lakers' goaltender Matt Bergland made 21 saves for the shutout. Nash Lozon in the first period, Norm Leger and Ryan Lounsbury in the second, and Brent Belanger late in the final stanza scored for Wallaceburg, who fired 38 shots at Kings keeper Eric Steinman. Game two in the series went Monday night in Wallaceburg. Game three is Wednesday night also on Lakers' ice.

In the South Division final, the Essex 73's and Belle River Canadiens started their best of seven series on Friday in Belle River. Belle River, on an overtime penalty shot marker by Dylan Chessell, edged the 73's 3-2. It was Chessell's sixth goal in five playoff games this season. This is the fifth straight year the two rivals have met in the playoffs, with Essex having defeated the Canadiens four games to one the last two years in the South final. Game two went Tuesday night here in Essex.

Essex High School Athletics
Junior Boys Basketball
WECSSAA "˜A-AA' Quarter Finals
Tues. Feb. 23: Essex 58, Assumption 38

WECSSAA "˜A-AA' Semi
Thurs. Feb. 25: Forster 64, Essex 44

Junior Girls Volleyball
WECSSAA "˜AA' Playoffs
Quarter Finals "¨Feb. 23 - Essex defeated Herman 3-0
Semi-Finals"¨Feb. 24 - Essex defeated Assumption 3-0
Finals Fri. Feb. 26 - Essex defeated Amherst 3-1 (25-17, 25-21, 25-27, 25-10)
Red Raiders Junior Girls Volleyball-2010 WECSSAA "˜AA' Champions

SWOSSAA "˜AA' Junior Girls' Volleyball Final
Tues. March 2- Sarnia St. Christopher's @ Essex 5:00pm

Senior Girls Volleyball
WECSSAA "˜AA' Playoffs Quarter Final"¨Feb. 22 - Essex defeated Walkerville 3-0
Semi Final"¨Feb. 24 - Essex defeated Brennan 3-0
Final Fri. Feb. 26 - Amherst defeated Essex 3-0 (25-21, 25-14, 25-15)

Boys"˜A/AA' Semi-Final Results
(#2 Seed Essex Red Raiders vs. #3 Seed Amherst Generals)
Feb. 23 Amherst 8, Essex 1 "¨Feb. 24 Amherst 6, Essex 3 (Essex eliminated from playoffs) "¨

Essex Minor
Juvenile Ravens in OMHA Semi-Finals(Six Point Series)
This past weekend the Essex Ravens Juvenile all-star team opened their six-point OMHA semi-finals on the road with a pair of games against Niagara-on-the-Lake. In game one Saturday night, Essex's Pat Russo, on a setup from Tyler Montcalm, opened the scoring in period one, but Niagara responded with the next three markers. Essex narrowed the margin to 3-2 on a Chris Lentsch slapshot. The two teams traded goals to end the second period, with Mike Ouellette replying for the Ravens. In the third period, with Essex down 4-3 with 92 seconds remaining, the Ravens pulled goaltender Matt Lachine for an extra attacker, but the equalizer could not be had. Niagara led the series two points to none entering Sunday afternoon's contest. Essex outshot Niagara in game one 28-26.

In game two, Niagara jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after one period but the second turned into an offensive explosion with five goals. Jake Calvaruso, Anthony Fregni and Adam Moore scored for Essex to send the game into the second intermission tied 3-3. There was no scoring in period three or the 10-minute overtime. With the single point the Ravens trail the six-point series 3-1. Essex outshot Niagara in game two 37-31. The remainder of the series schedule is below. Tickets for home games are $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for students and seniors.

Game 3 - Fri. March 5 Niagara @ Essex, 9:15pm
Game 4 - Sat. March 6 Niagara @ Essex, 5:30pm
Game 5 - Sun. March 7 Essex @ Niagara, 4:00pm, if necessary