Penguins complete Sweep of Pipers, advance to championship series

Penguins Defeat Shoreline Pipers 9–1, Complete Series Sweep

The East Hants Penguins secured their spot in the Northumberland Championship Final with a 9–1 victory over the Shoreline Pipers, completing a four-game sweep in their playoff series.

The Penguins established control early, scoring three times in the opening period. Garret Holmes opened the scoring at 10:55 to get things started for the Penguins. Shortly after Tyler Noseworthy scored at 6:30, before Regan Spears extended the lead to 3–0 at with just over five minutes to go int he first period. The Penguins outshot the Pipers 28-8 in the first period.

East Hants continued to build its lead in the second period. Zack Speck-Meek scored at 9:18, followed only 24 seconds later by Cedric Ralph, who made it 5–0. Andrew Shewfelt added another goal with 1:15 left in the second giving the Penguins a 6–0 advantage heading into the third period. That was the end of the night for Pipers goalie Andrew Macleod. He allowed 6 goals on 52 shots and after facing 218 shots so far in the series in almost four games, it was time to give him a rest. Brent Walters would get the start in the third period.

The Penguins however would go on to add three more goals in the final frame. Alex Roode, Ty Hunter and Garrett Holmes with his second of the night would score put the Penguins up 9-0. Putting this one out of reach early.

The bright spot on the night for the Pipers was when Brandon Verge found the back of the net, breaking Bryan Gillis' bid for a shutout. Verge has emerged as a significant scoring threat in this league, and we hope to see great things from him next season.

With the victory, the Penguins advance after sweeping the series in four games.