The Panthers headed to Trenton for Game 1 of their playoff matchup with the Golden Hawks on Friday night. Pickering did well against the number one team in the league and the top-rated team in the country, especially considering that it was Pickering’s first game after a two-week layoff at the end of the regular season.
The Golden Hawks opened the scoring just over two minutes into the game, as Taylor scored at 2:09 off an assist from Broda and Roach. Drew McLennan tied it at 16:19, taking a pass from Joe Cadorin and blasting a shot from just inside the blue line.
Trenton regained the lead at 11:50 of the second period, when Corbin Roach finished a setup from Broda to make it 2-1. The Panthers pushed hard for the equalizer in the third, but Trenton sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 18:15, scored by Darlison, assisted by Souliere and Kuipers.
Shots on goal were even at 23-23, with Ian Michelone making 21 saves on 22 shots.
Pickering will look to rebound and tie the series on Sunday night, March 9th, when they host the Hawks in Game 2 in the Den at 7:30 PM.
