Justin Donnelly scored twice as the Saugeen Shores Winterhawks defeated the Creemore Coyotes 5-2 on Friday night at The Plex.
It was a loud one thanks to game sponsors Vanderwerf's Your Independent Grocer, who supplied the first 250 fans with free clappers on their way into the The Plex.
The extra noise worked as Donnelly made it 1-0 just 2:25 into the game, taking a beautiful feed from Mike Fiegehen to open the scoring, with Curtis Johnston also assisting.
The Winterhawks kept the pressure up and made it 2-0 late in the period when Josh Deyell's shot was stopped by Creemore goalie Mason Kameka, but the puck popped up in the air and fell behind Kameka and into the net. Trent Hawke and Miles MacLean assisted on the goal.
The first half of the second period was spent almost entirely on the penalty kill, but that didn't slow down the Winterhawks, who not only stymied the Creemore power play, but added some offence.
Mike Johnstone picked Kameka's pocket behind the net and put a wraparound into the empty net to make it 3-0 Winterhawks at 9:40 on the shorthanded goal.
The lead was extended late in the period when the Winterhawks picked up a power play and Donnelly made it 4-0 when he drove around the Coyotes defender and tucked the puck past Reid Hamilton, who briefly tended the Coyotes goal while Kameka departed due to injury.
The physical aspect of the series ratcheted up during the 3rd period. A dangerous hit from behind on Andy Mitchell gave the Winterhawks a power play, and Lauchlin Elder made it 5-0 as both sides made their feelings known between one another.
Creemore added two goals late as more power plays were called, making it a 5-2 final for the Winterhawks.
Jeff Flagler made 28 saves for the win, while Donnelly was named Elgin Jewellers Player of the Game with his two-goal performance.
The Winterhawks now lead the best-of-seven series 3-1, and will look to close things out in Creemore on Saturday night in Game 5. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
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