The Frankford Huskies are vying to be ‘beasts of the east.’
The local PJHL club continued its torrid run through the playoffs with victories in Games 4 and 5 after a tough 7-2 defeat in Game 3 to win the Tod Division over the Lakefield Chiefs after losing out on the division win in the regular season.
GAME 4- HUSKIES 8 CHIEFS 2
Frankford found solace on home ice Saturday, taking a 3-1 series lead after a three-day break in the series with a comfortable victory of their own.
The Huskies ran starter Braeden Derks out of the net with four unanswered tallies in the first period from Avery Wease, Keegan Juchau, Blake Ellis and Spencer Stanutz.
Juchau wound up completing a hat trick, with veteran Riley Grimmon and AP Cameron Shaw potting markers as well to send the Huskies on the road flush full of confidence.
Liam Boyer made 44 saves and added an assist, while Grimmon and Deke Osterhout, along with Juchau, posted three points each.
GAME 5- HUSKIES 4 CHIEFS 1
The Huskies put in a hard day’s work in enemy territory in Lakefield, coming away with a 4-1 win and the Tod Division crown the next day on Sunday.
Rheydan McCoy’s first of the playoffs got the Huskies on the board at 9:20 of the opening period on a powerplay and they continued to stay in front.
Stanutz buried the eventual game-winner with about three minutes left in the frame.
Frankford continued to stifle the Chiefs in the second and got some big insurance thanks to another Juchau tally with 14 seconds left in the period.
Any hopes Lakefield had of clawing back was dashed on a checking from behind penalty that led to a game misconduct.
Stanutz struck again on the ensuing man advantage to further the margin.
Charlie Blewett busted the shutout of Liam Boyer with 7:49 to go, but the Huskies had enough cushion to absorb that goal and went into a frenzy as the clock ticked down.
Grimmon added three assists and Osterhout picked up two as the Huskies celebrate their first division crown in their fifth season in the PJHL.
The next action for Frankford will be in the East Conference Final versus the Uxbridge Bruins, who eliminated the defending Orr Division champion Clarington Eagles in six games.
Full schedule details will be announced this week.
