THUNDER BAY – Eighty-one seconds into their semifinal game against the Northwest Explorers, the Credit River Capitals were down two goals and on their heels.
It didn’t faze them.
Slowly but surely, they began to take control of the play, forcing their Hockey Northwestern Ontario opponents to spend more time with the puck in their own zone.
Ultimately it paid off.
The Capitals scored three unanswered goals, including Noah Janeiro’s game winner with 2:12 to go in regulation, sending Credit River into Monday’s gold-medal game at the Ontario Winter Games in Thunder Bay.
“We’re really good at coming back from tough positions and we really stay with the game plan and go with the team. That helps us with the game and we come back and we put our goals in when we need to,” said Janeiro, who is tied for the Winter Games lead with five goals in four appearances.
Having a chance to play for gold is what they came to Northern Ontario to do and the 14-year-old defenceman said that’s what they’re gunning for after Sunday’s semifinal win at Fort William Gardens.
“It means a lot,” he said. “It’s really exciting. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us.”
For the first few minutes of the contest, it looked like the opportunity might be squandered.
The Explorers came out with their guns-a-blazing.
Brady Nash, a speedy forward with a blistering shot, picked up the puck along the left side and unleashed a laser of a wrist shot that caught Credit River goaltender Aaron Archer off guard.
Fifty-six second later the Explorers were at it again, with an odd-man rush into enemy territory.
Owen Trevisanutto, who scored twice in their 6-2, tournament-opening win over Credit River on Friday, buried a rebound after a scramble in front of Archer and the Explorers led 2-0.
The Capitals did get one back before the period ended.
Karter Cochrane picked up a loose puck and went in alone on Northwest goaltender Kainaan Macgillivray, firing the puck into the twine to cut the Explorers lead in half.
The one-goal advantage held through a scoreless second period, the Explorers failing to score on a 53-second 5-on-3 power play early in the middle frame.
The equalizer came after the Explorers failed to clear the puck from their own zone, Jonah Tagliarino finding the back of the net with 6:16 to go in regulation.
Overtime was not meant to be.
Janeiro ripped a high shot through traffic from the right faceoff circle, sending it past a screened Macgillivray.
Northwest coach Ed Atwill pulled his goaltender at that point, but the Explorers couldn’t tie things up and will settle for a shot at bronze.
“I think they’re a bit more prepared for closer games and the speed of the games,” Atwill said. “But we fought hard and our goaltender, again, played well. We’re happy with that and we’re going to show some pride tomorrow and come and try to win a bronze medal.
The Explorers will take on Ottawa Myers Automotive, who were blanked 4-0 by Team NOHA from Sudbury in the other semifinal.
The bronze-medal game is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Gardens, and the gold-medal game goes at noon.
FIRST PERIOD
Scoring: 1. Northwest, Nash 5 (Godick) 0:25. 2. Northwest, Trevisanutto 3 (Voortman, Nash) 1:21. 3. Credit River, Cochrane (Francey) 10:11. Penalties: Williamson NWE (cross checking) 2:41, Gout CRC (head contact) 5:28.
SECOND PERIOD
Scoring: No scoring. Penalties: Willett NWE (interference) 0:35, Graham CRC (slashing) 4:05, McMillan CRC (boarding) 5:12, Sullivan NWE (tripping) 12:23,
THIRD PERIOD
Scoring: 4. Credit River, Tagliarino (Drennan, Janeiro) 8:44. 5. Credit River, Janeiro 5 (Juarez, Francey) 12:48. Penalties: None.
GAME DATA – SOG – Credit River 9-9-6-24, Northwest 7-7-4-18; Power plays (goals-chances) – Credit River (0-3), Northwest (0-3); Goaltenders: Credit River: Aaron Archer, Northwest: Kainaan Macgillivray; A: 500 (estimated).
