Merchants Enjoy Perfect Weekend to End Regular Season

By Mark Stehlin

The final weekend of the Brooklin Merchants 25th regular season started in Collingwood on Sunday afternoon with a 16-7 win over the Cruise. Fast forward 24 hours and they were on home floor to welcome the Owen Sound NorthStars in their regular season finale. The Merchants found a way to win 5-3 on Sunday afternoon over the team that will be their first-round playoff opponents later this week, as they clinched first place overall.

Besides the win, the team celebrated a number of personal accomplishments with Merchants records after the game. Rookie Will MacLeod with his 38th set a season record for goals in a season, Parker Pipher with his 50th assist of the season also set a team record. In addition, Deacan Knott set the season record for goals against (6.31) and team defense set a record for fewest goals allowed in a season (111).

It was MacLeod’s goal with 1:09 off the clock that opened the scoring this afternoon. Each team scored once more that frame including one for Darren Elliott with just a minute remaining to give the Merchants a slim 2-1 lead after twenty minutes.

The second period was equally tight as each side managed only one goal. The Merchants outshot the NorthStars 37-20 after two periods as NorthStar starter Gavin Clarke had answers for the potent offense that the Merchants have been known for this season. The score after two periods was 3-2 in favour of the home side.

The NorthStars tied the game at 16:08 only to watch Zac Carrigan score just a minute later to re-take the lead. It was Pipher who sealed the deal with his 17th of the season to take the 5-3 win for the Merchants.

“Listen a win is a win; Did I want more? Would I have liked more? Of course, I wanted more today. But I did see a number of positives. We allowed only three goals which is incredible, and we had a number of very good looks and scoring chances, so we’re fine,” said head coach Ryan Degerdon.

“We aren’t here for individual accomplishments, but we want to celebrate all those success that we have had this season. Our goal early on was to finish in first and secure home floor in the playoffs so that box has been checked,” added Degerdon.

“I expect pure energy right from the start of our first playoff game that will set the tone for the series,”, he added. “Hard work will beat talent when talent doesn’t work hard, that’s the message I leave these guys with every night,” he added.

Scoring – Carrigan (1,0) MacLeod (1,1) Simard (0,2) Elliott (1,0) D Pipher (0,2) Crawford (0,1) P Pipher (2,2)

The other game last night saw Hamilton defeat Six Nations 11-9. Those two teams will meet in the other first round playoff series starting later this week. Check Merchants social media for the full playoff schedule against Owen Sound soon.