Ontario Hockey Association

The up-and-down season has ended for the Wellesley Applejacks. After struggling all year to pull together consistent play, the Burford Bulldogs eliminated the ’Jacks from the playoffs with a 2-1 victory on March 2. That win gave the Bulldogs a 4-3 opening series win. Wellesley managed to keep their playoff hopes alive with a solid 5-2 victory at home on March 1. The ’Jacks had opened the series with two wins, but couldn’t keep the momentum going for the rest of the series. At home for game six, the Applejacks took a 2-0 lead by early in the second period. Mike Fisher scored 13 minutes into the first period to get Wellesley on the board. Brady Hauck assisted on that goal. Thirty-two seconds into the second period, a quick shot beat the Burford netminder to give Wellesley a 2-0 lead. Owen Engel got credit for the five-hole goal. Scott Hanley assisted. Burford started to get back into the game, getting the puck past Chris Russwurm just under 20 seconds later. The Bulldogs won the faceoff at centre ice, got into the Applejacks’ zone and a cross crease pass to the open man had the game at 2-1. The second period was a fast-paced one, with the teams trading chances. Both goaltenders were sharp to keep their teams in the hunt for the win. At 9:27 of the second period, the puck was dug out of the corner and got to the Wellesley net. Before the ’Jacks could clear the puck, it was behind Russwurm and the game was tied 2-2. Wellesley ran into a little bit of penalty trouble later in the game as the Bulldogs had a two-man advantage at one point as well as a few power plays. Russwurm and the Wellesley defence was sharp to keep the game tied. With 40 seconds left in their power play, Wellesley took a 3-2 lead early in the third period. Just 59 seconds into the period, Fisher got the wraparound goal for the lead. The goal was unassisted. Jake Albrecht put Wellesley up 4-2 at 14:42 as he picked up the rebound left by Brock Gerber. Wellesley kept applying the pressure in the game, but some bad bounces and pure luck on the part of the Bulldogs didn’t help the Applejacks out. A wristshot did trickle through the legs of the Burford goalie with 7:38 left in the game to put Wellesley up 5-2. Engel got the goal with the lone assist to Brett VanGerwen. * * * game seven All of the scoring in this game came in the second period. Wellesley had 13 shots on net in the first period while Burford had 14. Scott Litt gave Wellesley a 1-0 lead early in the second period, as he converted on passes from Aaron Ryan and Engel 53 seconds into the frame. The next two goals went to Burford, though, and that was enough to sink the ’Jacks and end the playoff run.