Arnprior, ON – The Arnprior Packers regained control of their Richardson Division Semi-Final Friday night, defeating the Renfrew Timberwolves 4–3 in a tightly contested Game 5. With the victory, Arnprior moves back in front in the best-of-seven series and now sits one win away from advancing.
Arnprior 4, Renfrew 3
Arnprior jumped out to a fast start and held on late to secure the crucial victory.
Ethan Smith opened the scoring at 4:16 of the first period, finishing a play from Jackson Taylor and Carter Scott. Renfrew answered just over two minutes later when Nathan Pederson tied the game with assists from Blake Egan and Mannix Hart.
The Packers quickly regained control of the period. Brendan Lynch restored the lead at 9:10 before Carter Scott extended Arnprior’s advantage at 13:28 with help from Carter Downs and Smith to make it 3–1 after one.
Arnprior added another early in the second period when Smith scored his second of the night just 34 seconds into the frame, finishing a play from Scott and Downs.
Renfrew began to push back midway through the period as Parker Evans scored on the power play off assists from Daxton Markwick and Ricky Wilson to cut the deficit to two.
The Timberwolves made things interesting late in the third period when Ian Burnett scored on the power play with just over three minutes remaining, assisted by Evans and Egan. Renfrew pressed for the equalizer in the final minutes, but Arnprior held on.
Cole King made 29 saves to earn the win, while Dylan Elliott stopped 25 shots for Renfrew.
With the victory, Arnprior now leads the series 3–2.
Game 6 will be played Sunday night in Renfrew at 7:00 PM, where the Timberwolves will attempt to force a decisive Game 7.
