73’s advance to fourth consecutive OHA Semi Finals

The Essex 73’s swept the Exeter Hawks 4-0 to advance to the semi-final round of the Ontario Hockey Association Schmalz Cup for the fourth consecutive year.

The Essex Franchise has been to the Schmalz Cup finals a record 13 times and won a record six times.

Matthew Rosati, defenceman for Essex, is just one of many players who believe staying disciplined can go a long way towards cementing their names into the teams history.

“We need to stay smart and stick to our systems,” said Rosati. “When opportunities come, we have to bear down and score, block a shot or whatever necessary. Good teams find ways to win this time of year.”

Essex forward Eric Shaw said he agrees with the defenceman, adding that the team’s gameplan is crucial to sticking to for ultimate success.

Along with staying disciplined, 73’s forward Jordan Ryan said he believes the team will have to focus. Ryan said it is all business from here on out.

“The deeper we get in the quest for the Cup, the better the opponents get,” said the Amherstburg native. “We have to go out there and run our systems the way they are meant to be and at the end of the day it should bring us to our goal.”

With thoughts of having won the Great Lakes Junior ‘C’ Hockey League championship the last three years and losing in the finals of the OHA the past two, the 73’s have a game plan to finish off strong in 2015.

Phil Janikowski has contributed two goals while adding one assist in his four OHA Schmalz Cup playoff games. The 73’s forward says the depth of the team will push them towards success.

Essex will now have to wait to see who their next opponent will be. Walkertown, Ayr or Grimsby are the three possible teams the 73’s may face. All three teams play on March 27 with Ayr hosting Grimsby in a 2-2 series and Alliston hosting Walkertown who lead the series 3-1.