Cassels shuts door on Canadiens; Barrette nets lone goal
ESSEX - If Game 1 is any indication, the Stobbs Division Finals between the Essex 73’s and Lakeshore Canadiens is going to be a war.
In front of a crowd of 1,019 at the Essex Centre Sports Complex on Friday night, the longtime county rivals delivered a tight, hard-checking playoff opener that had everything—except goals. In the end, it took just one.
Overager Gabe Barrette proved to be the difference-maker, burying the game’s only goal with 7:29 remaining in the third period to lift Essex to a 1-0 victory and an early series lead.
Barrette’s fifth of the postseason came off a setup from Travis Rivest and Jack Lewis, finally breaking through in what had been a goaltending clinic on both ends of the ice.
Birk Cassels was sensational between the pipes for the 73’s, turning aside 32 shots for the shutout. At the other end, Boe Piroski (24 shots) matched him save-for-save for much of the night, as both netminders delivered composed, high-level performances under pressure.
From the opening puck drop, it was clear neither team would give an inch. The first period served as a feeling-out process, with both sides playing structured, mistake-free hockey. That tone carried into the second and third periods, where the intensity ramped up but the space remained limited.
Lakeshore generated slightly more offensive chances as the game wore on, but Cassels stood tall, making several key stops at critical moments to preserve the deadlock.
Special teams offered little separation, with both clubs going 0-for-2 on the power play.
With time winding down, the Canadiens pulled their goalie in a last-ditch effort to find the equalizer, but Essex’s defensive core held firm, sealing the shutout in front of an energized home crowd.
It was playoff hockey at its finest—disciplined, physical, and razor-thin in margin. And if this opener is any sign, fans can expect more of the same as the series unfolds.
Footnote:
Earlier in the evening, Essex head coach Tony Piroski was honoured by the Provincial Junior Hockey League as the league’s Coach of the Year. One of the most successful bench bosses in Junior ‘C’ history, Piroski has captured three Schmalz Cups over his decorated career.
Essex 73's President, Leo Viselli (left), and PJHL Stobbs Division Convener, Mark Hagerman (right), present 73's coach, Tony Piroski, with 2025-26 Coach of the Year for the PJHL. (Photo Dan De Zorzi)
Essex advances to league final for 5th straight season
ESSEX - The Essex 73’s punched their ticket to the next round Friday night with a convincing 6–2 victory over the Amherstburg Admirals at the Essex Centre Sports Complex.
Backed by 618 fans, Essex closed out the series in five games and will now await the winner of the Blenheim Blades–Lakeshore Canadiens series, which Blenheim currently leads 3–2.
Essex set the tone early, striking four times in the opening period to take complete control of the game. Wyatt Goudie opened the scoring midway through the frame, and just 59 seconds later Drew Ferenc doubled the lead. Austin Guevremont added a power-play marker before the period ended, and Jaxen Fortier-Smith capped the explosive first period with another power-play goal to give the 73’s a commanding 4–0 advantage.
Amherstburg showed life early in the second period when Rory Sandison scored just 49 seconds into the frame. Cale Marontate followed with a power-play goal a few minutes later to pull the Admirals within two.
However, Essex quickly regained momentum when Andrew Baker restored the three-goal cushion midway through the period.
The 73’s sealed the victory in the third when Noah Mathieson added another goal to round out the scoring.
Essex controlled the pace throughout the contest, outshooting Amherstburg 48–24. Tomas Kniaziew earned the win in goal for Essex, while Bennett Horrocks handled the duties for Amherstburg.
With the series victory, Essex now turns its attention to the next round in hopes of capturing another league title.
Amherstburg running out of options; must win Friday
AMHERSTBURG - The Essex 73’s continued their playoff surge Thursday night, defeating the Amherstburg Admirals 6-2 at the Libro Centre and taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the Stobbs Division semi final series.
With game five set for Friday night in Essex, the 73’s are just one win away from advancing.
Essex jumped out to an early lead when Carter Dembinski scored just 1:08 into the first period. Amherstburg’s Stefan Djordjevic responded with a short-handed goal at 7:19 to even the score, but Essex dominated the remainder of the contest.
The 73’s offensive attack picked up in the second period with four goals.
Luke Sherk opened the scoring at 11:43, followed by Andrew Baker at 13:00. Jaxen Fortier-Smith and Jack Lewis added late-period goals, putting Essex ahead 5-1 going into the final frame.
Amherstburg managed a single goal in the third period from Djordjevic at 14:32, but Noah Mathieson’s goal at 11:49 for Essex had already extended the lead to 6-1. Essex outshot the Admirals 37-24 on the night, clearly controlling the pace and possession throughout the game.
With the series shifting back to Essex for game five, the 73’s have positioned themselves to close out the Admirals and advance further into the playoffs. Amherstburg will need a strong response Friday night to stay alive.
73’s Explode for Eight in Shutout Win Over Admirals
ESSEX - The Essex 73’s delivered a dominant performance on home ice Tuesday night, blanking the Amherstburg Admirals 8-0 at the Essex Centre Sports Complex to take a 2-1 lead in the Stobbs Division Semi-Finals.
A crowd of 640 watched the 73’s control the game from start to finish in one of their most complete efforts of the postseason.
Connor Hunt led the offensive charge with a five-point night, scoring three times and adding two assists as Essex overwhelmed Amherstburg in every phase of the game.
Essex wasted little time setting the tone in the opening period. Drew Ferenc opened the scoring at 2:44 to give the 73’s an early 1-0 lead. Andrew Baker doubled the advantage at 7:27, and just 39 seconds later Connor Hunt struck to make it 3-0 before the midway point of the period.
The 73’s power play then got involved. Austin Guevremont scored with the man advantage at 14:12 to extend the lead, and he added his second of the night at 18:08 to send Essex into the first intermission firmly in control with a 5-0 lead.
The onslaught continued early in the second period when Hunt scored his second goal of the game just 1:56 in. Noah Mathieson added another power-play marker late in the period at 19:05 as the 73’s carried a 7-0 lead into the final frame.
Hunt completed his hat trick in the third period, scoring on the power play at 13:29 to round out the scoring and cap his big night.
Essex also dominated territorially, outshooting Amherstburg 43-10. The defensive effort limited the Admirals to very few quality chances while the 73’s goaltending and structure preserved the shutout.
With the win, Essex now holds a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven Stobbs Division Semi-Final series as the teams prepare for the next matchup Thursday night in Amherstburg.
Admirals even up series with 4-3 home-ice win
ESSEX - The Amherstburg Admirals evened their playoff series at one game apiece Sunday night with a hard-fought 4–3 victory over the Essex 73’s in Amherstburg, thanks in large part to a sensational performance from goaltender Bennett Horrrocks.
Horrrocks was outstanding between the pipes, turning aside 42 of the 45 shots he faced. The Admirals netminder came up with several key saves on high-quality chances, especially during a relentless third-period push from Essex.
Amherstburg opened the scoring early in the first period when Stefan Djordjevic found the back of the net at the 4:42 mark for his 10th goal of the playoffs.
After a scoreless stretch, the 73’s evened things up in the second period when Carter Dembinski scored at 7:38.
The Admirals responded quickly and took control late in the middle frame. Cory Leach restored the Amherstburg lead at 14:40 before Djordjevic struck again just a minute later at 15:40 to make it 3–1. Drew Booker added another for the Admirals on the power play with just nine seconds remaining in the period, giving Amherstburg a 4–1 advantage heading into the third.
Essex pushed hard in the final period, controlling play and peppering the Amherstburg net. Gabe Barrette cut the deficit to two at 3:27, and Drew Ferenc brought the 73’s within one with a goal at 13:27.
Despite being heavily outshot in the third period, including a 15–1 shot advantage for Essex, Horrrocks and the Admirals held firm the rest of the way to secure the victory.
Overall, the 73’s outshot Amherstburg 48–18 on the night but were unable to complete the comeback.
With the win, the best-of series is now tied 1–1.
