Titans Sweep Eagles, Advance to Semi-Finals

The Temiscaming Titans made short work of their second round opposition, the Powassan Eagles with a 3-0 series sweep to now advance to the semi final round of the GMHL playoffs.  Following their 6-1 victory Friday evening in Powassan, the Titans returned to the friendly confines of the Centre on Saturday night with a series sweep possibility.  The Titans came out ready and scored three first period goals by Francis Beauregard, Ryder Murray and Byron Katapaytuk and kept this lead for the first period.  Shots on goal in the first period were 15-8 TItans.  Contrary to the previous two games, the penalty box wasn't the main attraction as both teams only combined for six minor penalties.

In the second the Titans increased their lead to five with goals from Chris Levesque and Marc-Alain Begin.  The Eagles first goal came about half way through the middle period as James Steele put a loose puck in the crease over Aaron Boyce to put an end to his shutout bid.  Less then two minutes later Anthony Trozzo made it 5-2.  But the Titans responded with three consecutive goals to now lead 8-2. Katapaytuk with a pair to give him a hat trick and Cam Moffat on a breakaway.  A late goal by Jim Steele made the score 8-3 after 40 minutes.  Shots were 18-16 Eagles.

In the third, the Titans kept it simple and just kept the pressure on the Eagles not giving them an inch of ice.  Each team scored once with Steele getting his third for Powassan while Cam Moffat earned his second of the game.  With less than two minutes to play, the home crowd let the visitors know that their season was over with a couple of chorus' of the goodbye song as well as three brooms that were thrown on the ice to signify  series sweep by their hometown Titans.  Final shot count had Powassan holding a slight advantage 42-41.  Aaron Boyce earned his 6 victory of the playoff while the loss was taken by Martin Kysa who was replaced by Petr Heinisch following the Titans 5th goal early in the second.

The 3 stars were Begin, Katapaytuk and Cam Moffat.

The Titans will now play the Bracebridge Phantoms in the semi finals.  The first game will be Friday in Temiscaming.