Sabres swept by Diesels

One game after their coach bemoaned the lack of both playoff scoring and effort from veteran players, the Fort Frances Jr. Sabres seemed to remedy both issues Saturday night against the Schreiber Diesels.
Unfortunately, the Sabres’ four-goal effort still fell short against the defending SIJHL champions, who swept their best-of-five quarter-final series with a 5-4 victory at the Ice for Kids Arena here.
Sabres’ head coach Wayne Strachan discussed the scoring woes of his team prior to their return home from Schreiber on Friday, where they combined for only four goals in a pair of losses in the opening two games.
“We haven’t had trouble scoring all year, but we have in the playoffs,” noted the 2008 SIJHL coach of the year. “Maybe we’re gripping our sticks too tightly.”
Strachan’s players must have heard him as they opened their do-or-die game Saturday night with a pair of quick goals in the first period.
Graham Dyck opened the scoring for the Sabres, followed quickly by a goal from league MVP Quinn Amiel for a 2-0 advantage.
However, three unanswered goals by Schreiber proved the Diesels can hurt you in a multitude of ways. The three goals, coming in both the first and second periods, came shorthanded, on the power-play, and at even strength.
And each time the Sabres’ mounted a comeback, the visitors seemed to push harder.
Kyle Turgeon evened the score at 3-3 midway through the second period, but Kevin Clark replied for a 4-3 Diesel lead only five minutes later.
It was more of the same in the third period when 2008 SIJHL rookie of the year Mitch Cain scored the equalizer for the Sabres less than a minute into the frame on a power-play goal.
But again, it was Clark who answered the call—scoring his second of the game which proved to be the series-clincher.
Both goalies faced a barrage of shots, but it was the Diesels’ Matt Kernick who edged out Ryan Faragher for the win.
The Diesels now move on to face the first-place Dryden Ice Dogs, who had a first-round bye.
Also advancing through the first round are the Thunder Bay Bearcats, who swept the Thunder Bay Bulldogs in their quarter-final showdown.
The Bearcats now will meet the second-place Fort William North Stars in the SIJHL’s other semi-final series.