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LE { 30 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, February 27, 1990 PORT PERRY STAR SPORTS Must win in Uxbridge to force seventh and deciding game with the Bruins MoJack playoff hopes hanging by a thread The Port Perry ModJacks managed to stop the bleeding Sunday night at the Scugog Arena as they skated to a 5-4 win over the Uxbridge Bruins. But they trail the best of seven Central Junior C semi- final series three games to two and must win tonight (Feb. 27) in Uxbridge to force a seventh and deciding match Thursday eveningin Port Perry. Though the MoJacks were full measure for the 5-4 win Sunday evening, they dug themselves into a deep hole with a couple of less than in- spired outings earlier in the week, losing 5-2 on home ice; then 5-4 Friday in Uxbridge to fall behind three games to one. In Friday's game, they were down 4-1 in the second pe- riod before a power play goal late in the frame by Brad Men- zies seemed to inject a little life in their sputtering attack. But the Bruins added an- other before the period was over to take a 5-2 lead into the third. With just over six minutes to play, John Lally clicked on the power play from Paul Wil- kins and Jim Vernon and 36 sec- onds later, Darrin Lee deflected a shot home to make the score 5- ke and give the MoJacks a bit of a 11e. They pressed hard for the last few minutes and appeared to have the equalizer, but the goal was dis-allowed as the ref was in the process of handing out penalties to each team. Late in the game, Tony Sor- tino stopped an Uxbridge penal- ty shot as he stacked the pads to smother the shot. GAME THREE The Bruins got superb goal- tending from Mike Robertson and two short-handed markers by Kirk Smythe in the second period to skate to a 5-2 victory . ModJacks enjoyed a fairly wide margin in the play, espe- cially in the first two periods when they had 32 shots, but they could not get the disc past Robertson. Todd Taylor staked the team to a 1-0 lead early in the first from Kevin Gibson and Steve Connors, but the Bruins tied things up a few moments later. And after just 40 seconds of play in the middle frame, Bruin captain Sean McQuigge clicked on a power play to take a 2-1 lead. The ModJacks had all kinds of chances, but seemed to be fir- ing the puck right into the pads of Robertson. At 10:30, the roof started to come in as Smythe picked off a sloppy pass in the MoJack zone while killing a penalty and he went the length of the rink to makeit 3-1. ) Four minutes later, Smythe did it again while kill- ing a penalty for the Bruins, stealing the puck at his own line and racing down the left wing to get his second short-handed marker. Although the MoJacks Dar- rin Lee finally fired a power lay goal at 14:48 from John Pally and Chris Arsenault, the damage had been done. Bruins added one more in a listless third period to make the final 5-2. - The MoJacks could only muster five shots on the Bruin goal in the final period. This was a tough loss for the MoJacks in front of another large crowd at the Scugog Are- na. The team played well, cer- tainly better than the score in- dicated. Ref Gil Nieuwendyk kept things under control through- out, and unlike Sunday's game, the teams stuck pretty much to hockey. GAMEFIVE Staring elimination in the face on Sunday night in front of their loyal fans at the Scugog Arena, the ModJacks decided they are not quite ready to hang up the blades for the season as they nicked the Bruins 5-4. And they did it the way they won numerous games all - season, by taking advantage of Uxbridge penalties, and moving the puck around with authority on the power play. With the game tied 1-1 ear- ly in the second, MoJacks clicked for three straight power play markers in the span of four minutes. : Steve Connors got thing rolling at 2:22 from Menzies and Geer. Then John Harman with his second of the night, upped the margin to 3-1 with assists from Geer and Chris Arsenault. And John Lally drilled a shot under the cross bar at the 6:00 mark with help from Len Giacalone and Connors. The Bruins got one back to make the score 4-2 gding into the final frame. 7 et pe 5, At 7:45 Todd Taylor staked the team to a three-goal bulge as he scampered down the left side, cut in front and managed to slide the puck behind Mike Robertson. MoJacks needed that goal badly as the Bruins used a pow- er play and an extra attacker to score twice in thelast two min- utes to make the final 5-4. MoJacks out-shot the visi- tors 41-35 in this one, including 25 in the middle frame when they really dominated the game. And so the teams will do battle again tonight (Feb. 27) in Uxbridge with the face-off set for 8:30 PM. If the MoJacks can come home with a victory, game sev- en is Thursday at the Scugog Arena at 8:30 PM. SLAP SHOTS: The MoJacks will be with- out rugged forward Len Giaca- lone as he was hit with a match penalty for an altercation in th third period with the Bruins Ja- mie Showers. The ref called him for "attempt or deliberate inju- ry." The MoJacks were not sure exactly why this penalty was - called and Showers didn't seem to be suffering any ill-effects af- ter the scrap. i In fact, there were few punches thrown in this one and Showers used his rather large size to wrestle Giacalone to the ice. Prior to Sunday's face-off Modack captain Brad Menzies was presented with the Erve Downey Memorial trophy as the League's MVP. Convenor Andy McLauch- lan made the presentation. The award is for sports- manship, dedication and abili- x i fe es PRE 4 A OI FRE RAT ¥ Steve Connors of the MoJacks turned in a fine game Sunday with a goal on this play and a couple of assists to help the MoJacks to a 5-4 win over the Uxbridge Bruins. Mo- ty. Menzies is certainly a de- servingrecipient. Voting is done by all seven teams, except for their own nominee. This MoJack-Bruin series has been a tough, grinding and at times downright chippy af- fair. If the MoJacks can get by the Bruins tonight and force game seven, one wonders if the "survivor" is going to have any- thing left for the Bowmanville Eagles who have been cooling their wings for the past ten-days waiting for somebody to emerge victorious from this series. ModJacks got a great effort Sunday night from Steve Con- nors who had a goal and two as- sists. Rob Metcalfe's name didn't show up on the score sheet but he was superb along the blue line all game. MoJack captain Brad Menzies was presented with the Erve Downey Memorial trophy as season MVP in the Central Junior C Hockey League. Convenor Andy McLauchlan made the presentation just before the start of Sunday night's playoff game with the Bruins. The award is for dedication, sportsmanship, and ability as voted by the seven teams in the league. Brad Is the first member of the MoJacks to win this coveted award since Brian Nicholson earned it two years in a row in the mid-80's. WO Jacks have their backs to the wall in the best of seven tilt, as they trail three games to two. Next game Is tonight in Ux- bridge and back In Port for game seven, If necessary on Thursday at 8:30 PM See story for the detalis on this series. a aw EE ------ I re