Ottawa, ON – Friday night across the EOJHL featured major movement in both playoff races, as Embrun closed the gap in the Martin Division, Athens moved to the brink of clinching, Richmond officially eliminated Carleton Place, and Ottawa West reclaimed top spot in the Martin Division with an overtime road win. With only a handful of games remaining, every result continues to carry postseason weight.
Embrun 2, Winchester 1 |
Embrun took a crucial step toward the final Martin Division playoff spot with a 2–1 road victory over Winchester on Friday night.
The Hawks struck first just 22 seconds into the game, as Leonardo Matteucci finished a quick feed from Kyler Leboutillier and Ryan Ross to give Winchester the early lead. That would be the only goal Embrun allowed.
The Panthers responded early in the second period, tying the game on the powerplay when Andrew Lankester converted a setup from Yanick Blanchard and Xavier Boulanger. Embrun completed the comeback midway through the third, as Enrick Girard scored the eventual game-winner off assists from Ethan Lamey and Blanchard.
Jake Dignard was excellent in goal, stopping 29 of 30 shots, while Jacob Turpin made 38 saves in the loss.
Embrun improves to 10-19-7-5, now just one point back of Winchester for the final playoff position. Winchester falls to 16-23-1-0.
Athens 7, Renfrew 1
Athens delivered one of its most complete performances of the season Friday night, overwhelming Renfrew 7–1 and moving within a single point of clinching a playoff berth.
The Aeros set the tone early, opening the scoring midway through the first on a goal from Cohen Merkley before Matthew Mines doubled the lead later in the frame. Athens continued to roll in the second period, with Cameron Kelly scoring twice — once early and once following Renfrew’s lone response from Liam Haggerty.
Cam McNulty and Jack Jansen added goals late in the second to blow the game open, and Mines capped the night with a shorthanded marker late in the third.
Marshall Greig turned aside 33 of 34 shots in goal as Athens improved to 16-20-4-1. Renfrew drops to 20-16-3-2.
Richmond 4, Carleton Place 0
Richmond officially ended Carleton Place’s playoff hopes Friday night, earning a 4–0 shutout on the road.
The Royals opened the scoring in the first period when Cooper Moore capitalized on a setup from Daniel Sciarra. Richmond took full control in the second, as Tyson MacCoubrey scored twice in just over two minutes, first finishing a feed from Bryce Hetherington and then converting again off a pass from Moore.
Bryce Hetherington added a fourth before the end of the period to put the game out of reach.
Richard Unger was perfect in net, stopping all 24 shots he faced to secure the shutout.
Richmond improves to 19-20-0-3, while Carleton Place falls to 10-28-3-0 and is now mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
Ottawa West 3, Glengarry 2 (OT)
Ottawa West reclaimed the top spot in the Martin Division with a 3–2 overtime win on the road against Glengarry.
The Golden Knights opened the scoring late in the first when Jason Ward finished a play set up by Samuel Stano and Thomas Dickey. Glengarry answered in the second with goals from Kaden Myre and Hayden Mader to take a 2–1 lead.
Ottawa West pulled even later in the period as Dominik Lemieux buried a feed from William McCulligh and Seamus Lockhart to force overtime.
Just over two minutes into the extra frame, Lockhart ended it, finishing a pass from Connor Weido to secure the extra point for Ottawa West.
Carter Overhoff made 26 saves in the win, while Maxime Mayer stopped 32 shots for Glengarry.
Ottawa West improves to 31-4-4-2, moving back into first place in the Martin Division, while Glengarry sits at 15-20-3-2, still battling to clinch a playoff berth.
