Northmen edge JCs at home, force Game 7
Miramichi staves off elimination in semifinals despite late push from Bouctouche
MIRAMICHI - The Miramichi Mike’s Bar and Grill Northmen lived up to the hype around Game 6 of their semifinal matchup with the Bouctouche Dodge Ram JCs.
The Northmen nearly gave up a 4-1 lead in the third period but overcame a late push from the JCs, holding on to win 4-3 and forcing a deciding contest in the best-of-seven Beauséjour Senior Hockey League semis before a packed house on Friday at the Miramichi Civic Centre.
Game 7 is on Sunday at 6:45 p.m. at the J.K. Irving Centre. The winner will advance to the best-of-seven league final and face the winner of the series between the defending champs, the Dalhousie Marauders, and the Elsipogtog Hawks. The series is tied at two games apiece, with Game 5 set for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Dalhousie and Game 6 slated for Sunday at 5:30 p.m. in Richibucto.
Bryce Milson led the Northmen with two goals on Friday, including the game-winner, which he scored on a man advantage at 11:13 in the third period, while JCs forward Malcolm Arsenault was serving a slashing minor. Milson also got Miramichi on the board at 7:25 in the middle frame when he beat Bouctouche netminder Alex Collette on a one-timer.
“It feels good,” he said. “I’ve been feeling better as the series has progressed. It’s tight, though. [The JCs] are hard to play against. They’re a fast team that hits hard and is good at using their sticks when the refs aren’t looking.
“I’ve just been trying to keep my head up and play hard every shift. Both teams play hard, and it’s wearing down players on both sides. It’s a tight series that’s going to Game 7. We had a great crowd tonight. Our fans want to see goals, hits, and fights. We’re giving them everything we’ve got.”
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