Admiras Drop Regular-Season Finale, Playoff Matchup Set

The Amherstburg Admirals dropped their final regular-season game, on a night where the team celebrated their four overage players.

Mitch Demelo, Jaxon Boucher, Jake Archer and Derek Berdusco were recognized in a ceremony before the game, but it was the visiting Essex 73’s who stole the thunder in a 6-2 victory on Saturday night in Amherstburg.

Cole Vaillancourt and Finnigan Russett scored for the Admirals in the third period of what was an otherwise meaningless game for both teams. The Admirals and 73’s were both locked into their position in the standings, and you could certainly tell that there was some trepidation in each team’s approach. The second-place 73’s will take on seventh-seed Dresden in the first round, while the six-place Admirals will tangle with the third-seed Blenheim Blades.

With his appearance in the game, goaltender Josh Courtney tied the franchise-record for games played by a goalie with 58.

The Admirals series against the Blades begins on Thursday, February 29 with Game 1 in Blenheim, and then shifts back to Amherstburg for Game 2 on Saturday, March 2. Fans can stay tuned to the Admirals website and social media for the complete schedule.