UXBRIDGE: The Uxbridge Bruins saw their grip on the fifth and final playoff spot slip slightly over the weekend, after dropping three games in three nights, including two against the rival Port Perry MoJacks, who are now nipping at Uxbridge’s heels in the Orr Division standings.
The Bruins opened a busy weekend on Friday night at the Bear Den, with the MoJacks visiting for a Battle of North Durham.
The teams traded first period goals, with Dalton Strongman scoring for Uxbridge, and former Bruin Noah Donaghy replying for the MoJacks.
Port Perry took a 3 to 1 lead early in the second period before Uxbridge came roaring back with three straight goals to regain the advantage. Owen McKnight, Cameron Moffitt and Daniel Giorgio scored for the Bruins. However, the Bruins wouldn’t take the lead into the intermission, after the MoJacks tied the game 4 to 4 late in the middle frame.
The third period saw the MoJacks rolling on offence, scoring three times to seal a 7 to 4 victory over their arch rivals.
The Bruins would have another opportunity to take down a longstanding rival the very next night as they trekked to Little Britain looking to close down the fourth-place Merchants.
The Bruins took a 2 to 1 lead into the third period behind goals from Josh Cammalleri and Brendan Reid. Reigning Orr Division MVP Cam Robinson scored for Little Britain.
However, once again, the team faltered in the third period, surrendering goals to Robinson and Peter Kerr to give the Shopkeepers a hard-fought 3 to 2 victory.
On Sunday afternoon, the Bruins were looking to salvage their weekend with a matinee matchup in Port Perry, and the final Battle of North Durham of the 2019-2020 Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) regular season.
Giorgio scored with just 11 seconds remaining in the opening period to tie the game 1 to 1, leading to a scoreless second period as the teams traded scoring chances. Both goalies provided excellent coverage, and Uxbridge’s Noah Acciaccaferri making several sensational saves.
An unassisted goal by Toby Cooper just over five minutes into the third period gave the Bruins their first lead of the afternoon. But, it wouldn’t last. The MoJacks would light the lamp with a pair of power play goals to seal a 3 to 2 victory.
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