Dundas Inches Closer To Postseason Berth

Photo by Paul Wright

While families across the province gathered to celebrate the Family Day holiday together, the Dundas McCoys hit the road for a critical showdown against their longtime rivals, the Cambridge Hornets. With a playoff berth on the line—a regulation win would have clinched it—the McCoys watched a two-goal lead slip away as Cambridge rallied for a dramatic 5-4 overtime victory.

The game started ominously for Dundas as Cambridge struck first, but Paul Cianfini delivered a perfectly timed response, knotting the score at one with just nine seconds remaining in the opening frame.

The Hornets reclaimed the lead early in the second period when former McCoy Cam Watson beat his old team at the 1:28 mark. What followed was a dominant Dundas response. Doug Clarkson leveled the score before giving the McCoys their first lead of the night at 12:18. Nolan Sheeran extended the advantage to 4-2 with 3:41 left in the period, and momentum seemed firmly in Dundas's favor.

But the period ended in chaos. After the McCoys' last two goals, tensions boiled over into a series of altercations that saw several players ejected from both teams. The costly casualties for Dundas? Both Clarkson and Sheeran were tossed from the game, robbing the McCoys of two key contributors down the stretch.

Cambridge seized the opportunity. The Hornets stormed back with a pair of third-period goals to force overtime, then delivered the dagger just 1:59 into the extra frame. The loss leaves Dundas and Cambridge deadlocked for third place, though the McCoys currently hold the tiebreaker. Any Dundas win or a St. Catharines loss will secure a playoff spot.

Ryan DeMelo made 23 saves in a losing effort, surrendering five goals on the night.

The McCoys will look to rebound Thursday night at the Harry Howell Arena, where they'll face the Wentworth Gryphins at 7:30 p.m. They'll close out the regular season Friday, February 27th at home against the St. Catharines Saints on First Responders Night, also starting at 7:30 p.m.