Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Mathieu Halle’s second goal of the night was the difference as the Amhertsview Jets held on for a 4-3 victory in Game 1 over the visiting Napanee Raiders of the East Tod Division Finals on Wednesday night.
Amherstview held a 2-0 lead just five minutes into the game courtesy of goals from Jakob Leonard and Halle.
Aidan Johnson got one back for Napanee at the halfway mark of the period.
Amherstview continued to strike early in the second as Jack Wiley scored just 2:29 into the frame. Ben Chubbs scored late in the period to get Napanee back to within one heading into the final intermission.
Napanee’s Matthew Sheehy scored 8:30 into the third to knot the game at 3-3.
That score held until Halle potted the eventually game winner at 13:07. Jeremy Piazzi took it from there, shutting down the Raider offence and finishing with 30 saves for the win.
His counterpart Bailey Maracle made 24 saves on the night.
Napanee will look to rebound on home ice Friday night for Game 2 of the best-of-seven series. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m. at the SPC.