Paul Poupore Award presentation.
Renfrew Timberwolves defenceman Erik Mask was presented with the Paul Poupore Award for hockey and scholastic achievement prior to the fourth game of the Valley Division final in Renfrew March 8. Metro-Valley Division president Ron McRostie makes the presentation. Wolves mascot Timbrrr lends his support.
Peter Clark, Renfrew Mercury
After close to a week off, the Renfrew Timberwolves and Ottawa Junior Canadians are inching to play some hockey.
Neither team has seen any action besides practices since winning their respective division titles last Sunday.
They finally get to play tonight (Saturday) at the Brian Kilrea (a.k.a. Canterbury) Arena in Ottawa. Game time is 7:15 p.m.
Game two is a rare Monday night encounter in Renfrew at 8 p.m.
The Wolves claimed their second Valley Division championship in three years with a hard-working 4-3 win over the Perth Blue Wings in game 5 at the Perth Community Centre, while earlier that day in the afternoon, the Canadians completed a four-game sweep over the Clarence Creek Beavers with a 3-1 victory.
That loss ended a hot and cold playoff run for the Beavers. They actually lost six of their last seven games in the post-season.
As of earlier in the week, Timberwolves general manager Brent Sylvester was unable to predict if and when injured snipers Jesse Riopelle and/or Drew Anderson might return to the Renfrew lineup, if at all. Both are in their final year of junior hockey.
If Riopelle can’t suit up, the C will be passed over to Ryan Eady.
Sylvester says the team is confident.
“They feel they can do this,” the GM said. He was quick to add that the Canadians can score in bunches and that the Wolves have to stay out of the penalty box.
Metro-Valley Final
• Saturday, March 16 in Ottawa - 7:15 p.m.;
• Monday, March 18 in Renfrew - 8 p.m.;
• Tuesday, March 19 in Ottawa - 7:15 p.m.;
• Friday, March 22 in Renfrew - 8 p.m.;
• Tuesday, March 26 in Ottawa - 7:15 p.m.;
• Friday. March 29 in Renfrew - 7:30 p.m.(Good Friday);
• Saturday, March 30 in Ottawa - 7:15 p.m.
Around the Loop
The Athens Aeros wrapped up the Rideau Division championship with a 6-2 home ice win over the Gananoque Islanders in game 5 at Centre 76 in Athens Tuesday night.
It took the full seven games for the Casselman Vikings to finally subdue the pesky Akwesasne Wolves in the St. Lawrence Division final. Two Casselman wins came by scores of 1-0.
The Vikings prevailed 7-3 Thursday.
They and Athens open the Rideau-St. Lawrence Conference championship series Sunday night in Casselman.