KENSINGTON – The Kensington Clark Insurance Granites are the champions of the Island Community Senior Hockey League.
Marshall Ellis scored 39 seconds into the first overtime period to lift the Granites to a 7-6 decision over the Charlottetown Crunch on Thursday night. The Granites won the best-of-seven series in six games.
“Devan Praught made a heck of a play behind the net,” explained Ellis after the game. “It (puck) squeaked out in front of the net, and I ended up putting it over top of (Charlottetown goaltender) Kendall Palmer’s shoulder.”
Playoff MVP
Granites goaltender Tim MacPhee was named the first recipient of the Drew Power Memorial Award for playoff most valuable player.
Power, who was captain of the Crunch this season, passed away suddenly in a house fire in Charlottetown. The Crunch had Power’s No. 14 jersey hanging behind their bench.
Three-goal leads
Before an estimated 300 fans at Community Gardens, the Granites jumped out to 3-0 and 4-1 leads before the Crunch rallied to tie the game 4-4 after two periods. The Granites took a pair of one-goal leads in the third period, but both times the Crunch answered back to tie the score.
“It was a good game all around by both teams,” assessed Ellis. “Both battled pretty hard and they did a good job coming back.”
Nathan DesRoches had two goals and an assist for the Granites while singles came off the sticks of Devan Praught (1-1), Colin Webster and Dustan Jones. Brad Gallant (3), Cameron Webster (3), Jon Cameron (2), Ellis and Naythan Praught drew helpers.
Jordan Costello had a big night for the Crunch, scoring twice and setting up two others. Greg O’Brien (2-1), Josh Whiteway (1-2) and Ryan Callaghan accounted for the other goals. Callaghan’s marker at 11:39 of the third period forced overtime.
Matt Myers, Garrett Lewis, Evan Shea, Josh McKinnon, Brett Vessey and Cory Chaisson were credited with helpers.
Overall, the Granites outshot the Crunch 43-38.
Referee Mike Annear called five of six minor penalties against the Crunch. Each team picked up one fighting major and game misconduct.
Rocky season
The game marked the end of a rocky season for the league, which started with three teams. However, the Montague entry had to withdraw after Christmas, leaving just the Crunch and Granites.
After a lengthy break in which no games were played, the Granites and Crunch played a couple of regular-season games before playing the playoff series.
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