Almonte Thunder clinches Junior B playoff berth

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By John Carter

EMC Sports - The Almonte Thunder have qualified for the playoffs, earning three out of a possible four points in games last week.

The Thunder edged Shawville 6-5 last Thursday and lost 3-2 in overtime to Stittsville Sunday in Eastern Ontario Junior B Hockey League's Valley Division action.

With one game left in the regular season, Almonte needs another point or Renfrew to drop one of its final two games to clinch third place and a first-round match-up with the Perth Blue Wings. However, a Thunder loss or tie to Gatineau and Renfrew wins in its final two games against Shawville and Stittsville would drop Almonte into fourth and a series with runaway division leader Arnprior Packers.

On Sunday, Stittsville kept its slim playoff hopes alive when Matt Kadolph scored 4:35 into overtime to give the Royals the 3-2 win. Stittsville needs to win its final three games and hope Renfrew loses it final two to make the playoffs.

Almonte scored a power-play goal by Liam Killeen and a shorthanded marker by Aaron MacCosham to send the game into overtime. Troy Anderson made 35 saves, as Almonte outshot Stittsville 39-38.

In the game against last-place Shawville, Almonte took 3-1 and 5-3 leads before hanging on for the win.

Drake Clancy's second goal of the game with 3:59 left was the eventual winner, as Shawville's Nathan Clouthier scored at the 17:58 mark to make for a frantic finish.

After Shawville took an early 1-0 lead, Almonte scored three goals in the latter part of the first period. MacCosham, Andrew Rowbotham and Clancy were the Thunder marksmen.

After Shawville tied the game in the second, Almonte retook the lead with six seconds left on a goal by Kyle Killeen.

Joey Kealey's power-play marker at 6:06 of the third restored Almonte's two-goal lead before two more Shawville goals, sandwiched around Clancy's second tally. Clancy also had two assists for a four-point night.

Almonte outshot Shawville 39-37, with Chad Hetherington earning the win in net.

The Thunder will wrap up their regular season in Gatineau, playing the Metro Division leaders this Friday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m.

For the first time in recent memory, the Valley Division won both all-star contests over the Metro Division Saturday in Nepean, 7-6 in the prospects game and 16-12 in the main game. In the awards presentations, the Thunder was shutout. Forward David Hobbs of Shawville was named the Valley Division's most valuable player.

PROSPECTS CAMP

The Thunder have announced it will be hold its annual Prospects Camp on Saturday, April 21 at the Carleton Place Arena. The camp will be a one-day, round-robin style event, featuring four teams. This will guarantee that each player will play four games.

The camp is part of the team's recruitment drive. It is an opportunity for all players aged 15-20 with the desire to play Jr. B hockey to showcase their talents.

For more information, contact Jeff Hawkins at almontethundergm@hotmail.com.

john.carter@metroland.com