Jaren Burke’s six goals have him tied for first in the CCHL playoff scoring race. (Robert Lefebvre/IceLevel)

The Ottawa Jr. Sens have taken a 2-0 series lead on the Cornwall Colts, who went into the playoffs as the league’s second seeded team. 

The Jr. Sens surprised the Colts with a 5-1 victory on Thursday, March 30th, and followed it up with a hard-fought 2-1 win on Saturday. The Sens were led offensively by Nicolas Samson and Jaren Burke, who both scored in each game. Samson’s game winner in Game 2 was a dramatic, unassisted breakaway goal at 19:16 of the third period that ignited the small but faithful following at the Jim Durrell Arena in Ottawa South. 

Andriano Best Goaltender of Playoffs
The Jr. Sens, who were seeded third as the only Yzerman Division team with a positive win percentage, have succeeded largely due to stifling defence and a performance for the ages by Ian Andriano. The goaltender has been a mainstay between the pipes in Ottawa for the better part of three seasons. With Andriano off to the Rochester Institute of Technology (NCAA Div. I) next season, this is his last chance to lead the Jr. Sens to a CCHL title. His goals against average of 1.19 and .955 save percentage have him on the right track, and he is playing the best hockey of his career.

Although Andriano has been solid, he hasn’t always been very busy, thanks to a strong Jr. Sens defensive line. Led by and Merrick Rippon and Craig McCabe, the Jr. Sens held the Colts to just 17 shots in Game 1. The Colts turned in a better performance in Game 2 with 31 shots, but many of their attempts were poor quality, forced efforts. Cornwall veterans Grant Cooper (1 assist) and Tanner Spink (1 goal) have done their best to spur the team on, but have come up short nonetheless. The series continues tonight at Cornwall’s Ed Lumley Arena.

Carleton Place in Tough Against Kemptville

The Carleton Place Canadians, who are attempting to set a CCHL record by winning their fourth-straight Bogart Cup championship, are tied 1-1 with the Kemptville 73’s in Round 2. The 73’s won a hard-fought Game 1 when right winger Bobby Dow put the game away at 13:30 of the extra frame, giving the 73’s a 3-2 victory. Longtime 73 forward Matt Tugnutt continues to play the best hockey of his Jr. A career, with a goal and an assist. His goal at 8:57 of the third period sent the game into overtime. 

Jake Gaudet, also a 73 for the duration of his time in the CCHL, also scored a goal and an assist in Game 1, adding the lone Kemptville goal in a 5-1 Game 2 loss. 

Currently, three Kemptville 73’s are participating in a six-way tie for first in CCHL playoff scoring. Adam Alavi and Bobby Dow each have 4 goals and 5 assists for nine points, while Matt Tugnutt is tied for the league lead with 6 goals (3 assists, 9 points). The semifinal series between the Canadians and the 73’s will continue on Wednesday night.