The Hanover Barons have done it again.
After another dominant regular season first place finish, they romped through the PJHL Pollock Division playoffs en route to back-to-back division championships, beating the Fergus Whalers 3-2 on March 28 to win the series 4-1.
Hanover's P&H Centre was rammed top to bottom with fans to take in what was an excellent clinching game against the feisty Fergus Whalers, who deserve their plaudits here, as well. For a second year franchise to make it to a championship final, and give the Barons plenty of challenge along the way, is extremely impressive. That franchise isn't going anywhere either, and bright things are ahead.
But for now, the Barons reign supreme.
The first period was fast, with an immediately intense atmosphere with fast breaks, big hits and bigger saves. Bradley Boville of the Whalers and Derek Hartley of the Barons were going toe-to-toe with excellent stops. Fergus would earn a power play and they'd open the scoring on a beautiful tip lay in front as Andrew McClure got a blade on a Ty Anselmini shot to deflect it up and over Hartley's shoulder. 1-0 Fergus at 9:22 as Sam Barry picked up the other helper. Disaster struck for Fergus with just 29 seconds left in the frame, as a bling pass from below the goal line landed right on Alex McGillivray's stick in the slot. He bumped it back to Jacob Duggan, who sent it along the blueline to Austin Waite, who rocketed the puck toward the goal. It caromed off a defender and past Boville. 1-1 with the home team carrying momentum into the break.
The second period turned into a much more physical back-and-forth chip and chase period. Both teams would earn power plays during the period, but it was Hanover that broke through to take their first lead. After Sam Barrett drilled the crossbar on a brilliant play to the slot, the Barons top unit of five forwards found a breakthrough. Kyle Maloney, who Barons Head Coach Brady Anderson refers to as "the bus driver", made a pass to the doorstep that only special players can make. He put a puck through the head of a needle onto sniper Mark McIntosh's blade, and McIntosh made no mistake, beating Boville blocker side for a 2-1 Barons lead. Veteran Danny Scott had the other helper, and the P&H Centre was exploding. Fergus had a 4 minute double minor power play near the end of the period but just couldn't break Hanover down despite some excellent chances, all turned aside by the ever-calm Hartley.
In the third, the Barons knuckled down defensively and showed why their champions. The board battles and quick clearances frustrated Fergus, who were doing all they could to try and break down the 1-2-2 set up. Early in the third, more magic from Alex McGillivray, who's name, like his dad Jim's, is now looming large in Barons lore. McGillivray broke away down the ice with defender's closing down on him and snuck one through Boville with a brilliant move to give the Barons a 3-1 advantage. Cohen McIsaac and sensational rookie Coen Galbraith got helpers.
It has to be said here, that both goaltenders were so good. Boville, in what became his final junior game, stopped 37 of 40, and gave this Whalers team nothing but stellar play all year. Hartley turned away 28 of 30, as Fergus would sneak a late one by him with just 2 seconds left courtesy of Tyler Ewald, with his brother Justin and Ben Power getting helpers. But, it was too little, too late.
As the final seconds ticked away, the Barons faithful were in full voice to count it down, and the bench exploded with the joy that only trophies can bring. Back-to-back titles are immensely impressive accomplishments, let alone in the toughest division in the entire PJHL. Congrats to the entire Barons team and coaching staff, led by Head Coach Brady Anderson, Assistant Coaches Bobby Kirby (who once agin bear hugged me nearly in half) and Brenden Clayton. GM Peter "The King" Irwin, Assistant GM Lucas Johnson, Director of Hockey Ops Mike Fisher and Trainers Will Schwippl and Kaitlyn Johnson.
As Pete Irwin told me post-game, "We're not done. We have one goal in mind, and we wanna go after it."
The Barons made it all the way to the Schmalz Cup semi-finals last year, losing to the Clarington Eagles. This Barons squad returned to go after the ultimate prize. Check off one more box on the journey. While I know the ultimate goal is still in the works, I hope this group thoroughly enjoys another Pollock Division title as much as we've enjoyed covering them. The Orillia Terriers are up next for the Northern Conference championship. All I'll say is, beware the Bloody Red Barons. They're coming and they're in full flight.
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