Spectacular! That is what the fans were treated to Sunday as they watched the home town Blyth Brussels Bantam Rep team win game 6 to close out the OMHA Semi Finals series against the Newcastle Stars. The hometown boys posted a tie in game one with wins in games 2 and 3 only to have the Newcastle Stars claw back into the series with wins in games 4 and 5.
Sunday’s game was do or die for the Blyth Brussels boys and they certainly brought their game. With a lightning pace in the opening minutes of the game the boys jumped to the early 1-0 lead on a goal by Arden Coultes, from Josh Van Soest and Dustin Pennington. With 2 Blyth Brussels players in the penalty box, Trent Michie from Wyatt Ducharme gave the team an unexpected 2-0 lead. The Stars bounced back with a deflected goal to make it 2-1 late in the first period.
The Stars did not give up and a superb Matt McNichol made more than one game changing save to keep the Blyth Brussels boys on top. After a couple of great shots that found the iron, Trent Michie from Wyatt Ducharme gave the Blyth Brussels boys a 3-1 lead. A blistering rush from Dustin Pennington and Josh Van Soest late in the dying seconds of the second period had the packed crowd crazy.
The tense third period saw the Stars draw to within one goal (3-2) with 5:59 left. Fabulous forechecking, hits, blocked shots kept Blyth Brussels ahead and at the 2:48 mark, a shot from the point by Jordan Hubbard and tipped by Pennington, fooled the Stars goalkeeper to give the Blyth Brussels boys a 4-2 lead. The Blyth Brussels team showed off their strong defensive game with the Stars goaltender pulled, and a Blyth Brussels player in the penalty box to keep the game at 4-2 for the win.
The Blyth Brussels boys are heading to the OMHA Finals against a tough team from Ilderton. The team played Ilderton in the International Silver Stick, losing to them in the round robin but beating them in the finals. Keep an eye on the website to see dates and times for the OMHA finals. The boys appreciate the wonderful support they are getting.
Congratulations to the Blyth Brussels Bantams and their coaching staff!