On March 12 in Halifax, the River Rats put on a strong performance and doubled up the Metro Jaguars 4-2 to take Game 1 of the Best of Seven series.
Game 2 is scheduled for March 16 in Windsor at 7 p.m.
The Avon River Rats' general manager Darrell Lyttle told the Valley Journal-Advertiser prior to Game 1 that if the team “can forecheck and stay disciplined” like they did in their series clinching 5-1 win over the Spryfield Attack, he was confident of a positive outcome in the league's final against the Metro Jaguars.
On March 12, the River Rats got on the board just 1:40 into the game on a goal by Peter McDougall with an assist going to Tyler Comeau.
Falmouth native Brett Wallace tied it for the Jaguars with 9:19 to go in the opening period on the power-play.
Adam Ferguson put the River Rats back in front 2-1 but the lead lasted only 10 seconds as the Jaguars roared back to tie the game at 2-2.
With just 1:13 left to play in the second, Mitchell Urquhart scored on the power-play to give the Rats a 3-2 lead going into the final period.
Urquhart scored an empty-net goal in the third to make the final 4-2. Allister Avard added two assists for the winning team, which outshot Metro 37-32.
The River Rats are hoping to take a 2-0 championship series advantage in Windsor. It's an important game as both clubs face a rugged schedule to declare a league champion.
Game 3 is March 18 in Halifax and Game 4 is back in Windsor at 7 p.m. March 19, followed by Game 5 March 20 if necessary in Metro.
If sixth and seventh games become necessary, they will be played March 25 and March 26.
If the series should go the limit, it will leave the provincial championship team with limited time to recuperate as they will then begin the Maritime North Junior Hockey Championship in Springhill on March 29.
