The Frankford Huskies have fought their way to the edge of the Schmaltz Cup Semifinals thanks to back-to-back gutsy wins over the Orr Division-leading Uxbridge Bruins.
GAME 3- HUSKIES 3 BRUINS 2 (OT)
Deke Osterhout capitalized less than two minutes into overtime on Thursday to give the Huskies a 2-1 series lead.
The Plainfield, Ont. product buried his seventh of the postseason from Spencer Stanutz as part of a two-point night.
He had assisted on Riley Grimmon’s tying marker at 1:14 of the second, a quick answer off on Uxbridge goal that held up as the equalizer until the extra session.
Ty McCambridge had kicked off the scoring with a powerplay tally at 17:03 of the first before Jordan Fitger scored his first of two for Uxbridge in the final minute of the frame.
Stanutz ended up with three helpers, and Grimmon notched one.
Liam Boyer stopped 26 as the Huskies outshot Uxbridge 35-28.
GAME 4- HUSKIES 4 BRUINS 2
Willed by a fan bus of celebratory Huskies fans, Frankford headed back home with a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Three unanswered markers turned a slim deficit into a two-goal victory to push Frankford one win away from the PJHL’s final four.
Uxbridge held a 2-1 advantage with four-and-a-half minutes to play until Osterhout, Nolan Donnelly (both on the powerplay) and Keegan Juchau (empty net, shorthanded) scored in succession in a three minute and change span to put the Bruins away.
Avery Wease picked up a goal and an assist, Grimmon added another single helper and Boyer kicked out 43 of 45 shots on a busy night.
Frankford can put a bow on a series victory Sunday at 7 p.m. at Frankford Arena.
