For the first time in franchise history, the Brampton Battalion are heading to the OHL finals.
Matt Duchene scored three goals, including the game-winner midway through the third period, to pace the Battalion to a 7-4 win over the Belleville Bulls in Game 6 of the Rogers OHL Eastern Conference Championship Series on Friday.
The Battalion won the series in six games and claimed the Bobby Orr Trophy for the first time in their 11-year history in Brampton. They will face the Windsor Spitfires in the Rogers OHL Championship Series starting on Wednesday in Windsor. The winner will move on to represent the OHL at the 2009 MasterCard Memorial Cup in Rimouski beginning May 16 against the champions of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
"This is just great for the City of Brampton and our ownership," Battalion coach and GM Stan Butler said after the game. "Hopefully this will show the people in Brampton how good this hockey is and how exciting it is."
Jason Dale opened the scoring early in the first period and Duchene added a powerplay goal to give the Battalion a two-goal lead after one period. The Bulls responded in the second period with goals by Brandon Mashinter and a pair by Nick Palmieri to take the lead after two.
Duchene tied the game on a powerplay 2:03 into the third period and captain Cody Hodgson put the Battalion ahead for good at 6:49. Mashinter scored againt midway through the third period but Evgeny Grachev and Hodgson added empty net goals in the closing minutes to seal the win.
"We got off to a great start and we knew that both teams would be tired," Butler said. "In the third period we just said to the guys that we've come back on them before. This team's got a lot of character."
Thomas McCollum made 26 saves in the win while Mike Murphy allowed five goals on 30 shots for Belleville.
The Rogers Championship Series is as follows:
WINDSOR SPITFIRES vs. BRAMPTON BATTALION
Game 1 – Wednesday April 29 at 7:05 at Windsor
*if necessary
