SOUTH MUSKOKA – A loss for the South Muskoka Shield on Tuesday night means the team will face off against the Deseronto Storm during a final game, to be played tonight in Bracebridge.
The battle for the Greater Metro Jr. A Hockey League’s (GMHL) Russell Cup went to Game 7 after the Storm defeated the Shield 5-3 on April 6.
The final game is scheduled for April 8 at Bracebridge Memorial Arena at 8 p.m., said Shield coach Dallyn Telford.
“It all comes down to this meeting,” said Telford.
Game 6 at Deseronto Arena was a chance for the Shield to win, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be. “We knew going down there it was going to be tough,” said Telford. “Obviously, we wanted to win there.”
Very energetic and loud fans make Deseronto Arena a challenge.
“You can’t hear yourself think,” said Telford.
The Shield expected to go into Game 6 or 7 against Deseronto, said Telford.
It has been a hard-fought battle, and “both teams aren’t willing to give up an inch of ice,” he added.
Last year the Shield won the Russell Cup in Game 6 against Deseronto.
This is the first time in league history that the Russell Cup championship final has gone to a seventh and deciding game, according to the GMHL website.
During Tuesday’s game the Storm scored three goals in the second period to take a 4-1 lead. They added another goal early in the third to go up by four.
The Shield scored two goals to get back in the game with 12 minutes left, reducing the lead to 5-3.
Shield forward Chad Meagher netted two goals and Dan Soderberg-Andersson scored the first period marker.