Mariners advancing to semi-final with Crushers in Fred Page Cup

Friday night’s game between the Yarmouth Mariners and the Pictou Crushers didn’t count for much compared to other games played in the Fred Page Cup so far.

That’s because heading into the game both teams already knew they were assured a spot in Saturday night’s semi-final.

Still, a win would have been nice. And it went to the host Pictou team, who defeated the Mariners 6-4, with the last Pictou goal coming on a Mariner empty net.

The Mariners decided to sit out some key players in Friday night’s game – including Ryan Penney, Jordan Scott and Jamie Klie – to give them a chance to rest up for the semi-final.

Saturday’s semi-final gets underway 7 p.m. The winner from the game advances to Sunday’s championship final against the Pembroke Lumber Kings.

Jason Rinzler and Jordan Knox led the Crushers with two goals and two assists during Friday’s game, while Matt Duff and Tyler Williams led the Mariners with one goal and one assist each.

Tyler Williams had opened the scoring at 2:37 to give the Mariners an early 1-0 lead, with Matt Duff scoring at 6:36 to extend the lead to 2-0. Jordan Knox scored at 15:40 to cut the lead in half at 2-1 after the first period.

Other Mariner goals came from Itan Chavira and Cody Lefrancois.

Pictou County went 2 for 7 on the powerplay while Yarmouth went 2 for 6.

The Crushers Alexandre Quessy stopped 31 of 35 shots for the win while the Mariners Jocelyn Morrissette stopped 34 of 39 shots in the loss.

Earlier in the day on Friday the Sherbrooke College Champlain Cougars (LHJAAQ Champion) edged the Pembroke Lumber Kings (CJHL Champion) 2-1.

Although the Cougars won the game, they had been officially eliminated after Thursday night’s loss to Pictou County.