Scoring chances early and often.
Renfrew Timberwolves goaltender Matt Gagne turns back a Max Veronneau scoring bid early in Monday night’s Valley-Metro clash at the Ma-Te-Way Activity Centre. Once the Ottawa Canadians made their first breakthrough six minutes into the contest, it was pretty well, game over.
Peter Clark, Renfrew Mercury
The second most important stat of the night – a shots-on-goal count of 43-18 – led to the most important stat of the night – 7-0.
By that margin, the Ottawa Junior Canadians cruised to a 2-0 lead in games in their Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League Metro-Valley Conference championship series before a silent Renfrew crowd at the Ma-Te-Way Activity Centre Monday night.
Ottawa can take the bull by the horns – if they haven’t already – with a win in the home confines of the Brian Kilrea (Canterbury) Arena at 7:15 p.m. tonight (Tuesday).
Canadians 7, Wolves 0
The Canadians scored two goals in each of the first two periods while outshooting the Wolves 35-11, and then added another three goals in the final stanza.
Josh Hartley and Scott Mcilroy notched two goals each to pace the Ottawa attack. Taylor Collins, Rob Darnowski and Max Veronneau added singles.
Veronneau was actually robbed twice by Matt Gagne, including a breakaway stop a minute into the game, before finally solving the Renfrew goaltender midway through the second period.
Jamie Molinski added four assists and Zack Rheaume and ex-Timberwolf Mitch Parker two helpers each.
The Canadians clicked on three powerplays, and added a Hartley shorthanded tally to round out the scoring late in the third period.
At the other end of rink, Matt Couvrette had nary a big stop to make in the Ottawa goalcrease during the 18-save shutout.
Metro-Valley Final
• Saturday, March 16 - Ottawa 6, Renfrew 4;
• Monday, March 18 - Ottawa 7, Renfrew 0;
• 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
In game 1 of the Rideau-St. Lawrence Conference final, the Casselman Vikings built up period leads of 3-0 and 5-1 en route to a 5-3 win over the Athens Aeros in Casselman Sunday night.
They play tonight also, in Athens at 8 p.m.