Hurricanes Retain Championship

The Hurricanes had not won a home game in either the semi finals where they won all three road to advance to the finals or the finals where they held a one game advantage after winning two of the first three games on the road. In front of a full house at home the Hurricanes defeated the Western Valley Panthers 3 –2 in the second O/T for the title .

Hampton took a one goal lead with 8:06 remaining in the first from a Jeff Bergeron point shot redirected by James Hill for the only scoring in the first.

At the 17:22 mark of the second Panther Dylan Weeks set up by Carson Taylor and Jake Lamoreau to tie the game only to have the Hurricanes regain the lead six minutes later when Brad Hooper connected with Thomas Rice who beat the Panthers goal to make it 2 –1 after the second.   

The Panthers were the only team to change the score board in the third when Jared DeMerchant assisted by Jonathon Cheney tied the game to force overtime.

With neither team able to capitalize on their chances in the first over time the Hurricanes Brad Hooper fired the winner at the 7:28 mark of the second O/T with James Hill and Thomas Rice credited with the assist

Hampton’s Matt Ingraham earned the win facing 42 shots while Panther goal tender Patrick Godreau faced 49 shots in a losing effort .

The Hurricanes will once again  represent New Brunswick and defend their title as last year Champions at the Maritime Hockey North Championships in Liverpool Nova Scotia which take place Wednesday March 26 – Sunday March 30.