By Darryl G. Smart
If the Dunnville Jr. Mudcats want its season to continue, they need to start putting the puck in the net.
For a second-straight game, the Mudcats were limited to only one goal, in a 5-1 loss to the Grimsby Peach Kings in Game 3 of their Provincial Junior Hockey League Bloomfield Division quarter-final.
The Peach Kings lead the series 3-0, and have only allowed two goals in the three games.
On Wednesday in Grimsby, Dravin Maye got the Peach Kings started in the first period.
Bryce Hoggard tied things up early in the second period, before Jacob Barnowski and Jack Venneri gave the home team a lead they wouldn’t give up.
Jacob Balca and Brendan Kowaleski added to the Peach Kings’ cause in the third period.
Riley Maskell made 22 shots in the win, while Austin Davison was once again a workhorse for the Mudcats, making 32 stops.
Game 4 of the series is Friday at 7:30pm in Dunnville.
BLOOMFIELD DIVISION
In other Bloomfield Division quarter-final action, the Dundas Blues breathed some life into its series against the Hespeler Jr C Shamrocks with a 5-2 road victory.
The Shamrocks lead the best-of-seven quarter-final 3-1.
Game 5 is in Hespeler Thursday at 7:30pm.
DOHERTY DIVISION
The Wellesley Applejacks scored three times in the first period to lead themselves to a 5-2 win over the New Hamburg Firebirds.
The Applejacks now lead the best-of-seven PJHL Doherty Division quarter-final 2-1.