The Yarmouth Mariners are on the brink of their first Maritime Junior Hockey League championship since 2007-08 after a 3-0 road win over the Campbellton Tigers in Game 3 of the Canadian Tire Cup Final. The Mariners have taken a commanding 3-0 series lead heading into Game 4 on Friday.
Dawson Stairs had an early chance for Campbellton but rang his shot off the crossbar. Yarmouth opened the scoring at 13:42. Brent Broaders drove to the net to the left of Tristan Gray but his shot attempt rolled just wide. Matt Barron, following up the play, banked the puck behind the net to the other side. Broaders, who had kept skating around the net, was unmarked to Gray’s right and beat the Tigers goaltender.
In the 2nd period, Francis Thibeault would take a slashing penalty at 4:39. On the ensuing powerplay, Noah McMullin worked the top of the blueline and fired a shot on goal. Andrew Martell was providing a screen in front and tipped the puck past Gray at 5:37 to make it a 2-0 lead.
Yarmouth continued their strong defensive play in the 3rd period, giving Campbellton very few opportunities. The Tigers pulled the goaltender with 1:38 to go, but Brady Crossley found the empty net just eleven seconds later for an unassisted goal to seal a 3-0 victory.
Game 4 is Friday night at 7 p.m. at the Campbellton Memorial Civic Centre and the Canadian Tire Cup will be in the building.