Ottawa, ON – Sunday night’s EOJHL Divisional Semi-Final action saw momentum swing across multiple series. Casselman moved within one win of advancing in the Martin Division with another shutout victory over Winchester, Renfrew delivered a dominant performance to even its Richardson Division series with Arnprior, and Smiths Falls grabbed a commanding series lead over Richmond with a strong road win.
Casselman 2, Winchester 0
Casselman continued its defensive dominance in the Martin Division Semi-Final, blanking Winchester 2–0 to take a 3–0 series lead.
The Vikings opened the scoring late in the first period when Skyler Beks broke the deadlock at 15:47, finishing a play set up by Tristan Simoneau.
After a scoreless second period, Casselman added insurance midway through the third. Kaleb Fogarty scored his second goal of the postseason at 6:54 off assists from Thomas Ranger and Simon Toupin.
Myles Boudreau was perfect in goal, stopping all 26 shots he faced to record his second shutout of the series.
Jacob Turpin kept Winchester within striking distance for much of the night, making 40 saves on 42 shots, but the Hawks were unable to solve Boudreau.
Casselman now holds a 3–0 series lead in the best-of-seven series.
Renfrew 7, Arnprior 2
Renfrew erupted offensively to even its Richardson Division Semi-Final series with Arnprior at 2–2.
The Timberwolves struck early when Liam Haggerty opened the scoring just 1:31 into the game on the power play, finishing a setup from Ian Burnett and Ricky Wilson. Arnprior answered a few minutes later as Andrew Mark tied the game off assists from Maxwell Windle and Jackson Taylor.
Renfrew seized control late in the first period. Mannix Hart restored the lead before Daxton Markwick added another off a play from Hart and Haggerty to make it 3–1 after one.
The Timberwolves continued to press in the second period. Hart scored his second of the night early in the frame, and Logan Fleury followed minutes later to stretch the lead to four. Arnprior managed a late goal from Carter Downs, but the damage had already been done.
Renfrew sealed the win in the third period as Hart completed his hat trick with an empty-net goal before Colton Vereyken added another late marker.
Dylan Elliott made 25 saves in the victory.
With the win, the series is now tied 2–2.
Smiths Falls 4, Richmond 2
Smiths Falls moved one win away from advancing in the Richardson Division Semi-Final with a 4–2 victory over Richmond, taking a 3–1 series lead.
The Bears opened the scoring in the first period when Gabriel Waito converted a pass from Nathan Hovila and Andrew Hopley.
Smiths Falls added two power-play goals in the second period to build a comfortable lead. Hopley struck at 7:05 with assists from Timothy Bourne and Jordan Parsons before Brody Nielissen made it 3–0 late in the frame off a setup from Hopley and Nico Ilias.
Richmond pushed back late in the third period, scoring twice within 45 seconds. Tyson MacCoubrey and Ethan Fleming both found the net to suddenly bring the Royals within one.
Any comeback hopes were quickly erased when Lincoln Chalmers sealed the win with an empty-net goal.
Matthew Saari made 34 saves in the victory as Smiths Falls now leads the series 3–1.
