Jets came up short as Pirates complete series comeback

Picton were down 3-1 in the series and beat Amherstview in Game 7.

A determined Picton Pirates team put an end to the Amherstview Jets' season.

The Pirates completed the comeback beating the Jets 3-2 in Game Seven of their first-round PJHL playoff series on Thursday.

Most of the 945 at the WJ Henderson Community Centre erupted when captain Andrew White got the Jets on the board with his first period goal and a 1-0 lead for Amherstview.

The second period saw the Pirates rally thanks to the power play. Colby Leaver tied it up at the 8:20 mark then Luc Amat would score three minutes later to give Picton a 2-1 lead.

Pirates head coach Jamie Lane says the second period was where his team came out strong.

Special teams was the difference as the Pirates scored twice with the man advantage and killed off all five of their penalties.

Jets head coach Evan Robinson says it was tough having to play short-handed the way they did in the second period.

White says team discipline has been a problem for them all season.

Amat would score his second of the game midway through the third period to put the Pirates up 3-1. Carter McGee would cut that lead by one scoring with 4:01 left in the period.

The series appeared to be a done deal for Amherstview after the Pirates had to forfeit Game Four last Thursday giving the Jets a 3-1 series lead.

Lane says his players used that as motivation to get back into the series.

Nolan Lane stopped 27 shots for the Pirates while Tyson Wilcox made 21 saves for the Jets.

The Jets were missing a couple of key players in the series in forward Brad Wilson and defenseman Connor Birney.

Robinson says it was not the way the team wanted to end the season but believes better days are ahead.

White, who played his final game in junior hockey, says his team had a great season despite the loss.

Meanwhile, the Pirates will face the Lakefield Chiefs in the next round of the PJHL playoffs.

Story by Ken Hashizume