Ottawa, ON – The Richardson Division Semi-Final delivered one of the most dramatic games of the postseason Thursday night as the Richmond Royals defeated the Smiths Falls Jr. Bears 6–5 in double overtime. In a back-and-forth contest that featured multiple momentum swings and late goals, Richmond survived elimination and forced Game 6 while trimming Smiths Falls’ series lead to 3–2.
Richmond 6, Smiths Falls 5 (2OT)
Richmond struck first early in the opening period when Jake Madore opened the scoring at 3:46, finishing a play from Nevyn Trenholm.
Smiths Falls responded midway through the frame as Lincoln Chalmers tied the game with help from Caleb Bourne. Richmond regained the lead later in the period when Jacob Warnes scored off assists from Nicholas Milbury and Dylan Cutts, but the Bears again answered before the intermission as Caleb Bourne capitalized on the power play to make it 2–2 after one.
The Bears grabbed their first lead of the night late in the second period when Jordan Parsons scored on the power play after a setup from Timothy Bourne and Caleb Bourne. Richmond responded just ten seconds later when Ramsey Stretch tied the game at 3–3 heading into the third.
Smiths Falls surged ahead early in the third period. Timothy Bourne gave the Bears a 4–3 lead off assists from Chalmers and Caleb Bourne, and Nico Ilias extended the advantage shortly after with help from Brody Nielissen and Gabriel Waito.
Facing a two-goal deficit, Richmond mounted a late comeback. Tyson MacCoubrey struck twice on the power play — first at 11:51 and again at 14:38 — with Daniel Sciarra assisting on both goals to tie the game at 5–5.
After a scoreless first overtime, the Royals completed the comeback deep into the second overtime. Parker Stretch ended the marathon contest at 11:52 of the second OT, finishing a play from Cooper Moore to keep Richmond’s season alive.
Sam Nolan delivered a strong performance in goal for Richmond, stopping 40 of 45 shots over nearly 82 minutes of action.
Despite the loss, Smiths Falls still leads the best-of-seven series 3–2.
