Civics end Titans season at the Center | Titans de témiscaming

The Titans were facing the New Tecumseth Civics tonight at the Center in game #4 of their North Division semi-final and needed a win to stay alive and force a fifth and deciding game in New Tecumseth on Monday. But it was not to be as the Civics dealt the Titans a 5-2 loss that ended their season. The Civics scored first but an unassisted goal by Nikita Sidenko sent the teams to the dressing rooms tied at one goal apiece after 20 minutes. Two goals by the Civics, one being on a power play gave the visiting Civics a 3-1 advantage heading into the final period. The Civics added a goal about the midway point of the period to increase their lead to 4-1 on a power play. The Titans captain Ryder Murray scored to make it 4-2 with 1:18 left. How appropriate was it that Murray would score the Titans last goal of the season and to end his career. An empty net goal by the Civics with 30 seconds left sealed the victory and allows them to advance to the North Division finals against either South Muskoka or Parry Sound. Veli Makinen took the loss. Raffaele Izzo came in for relief to start the third period. The Titans outshot the Civics 35-29. The 3 stars were Aiden Parker, Carmine Vietri from the Civics and Ryder Murray. On a side note, Ryder Murray was the last Titans player to leave the ice and I noticed him throw a glance up to the rafters where his number 7 hangs and will be there for all us to remember the immense contribution that he made to our team and our town.

Losing the game was bad enough but now several Titans players have now ended their hockey journey in junior hockey. It was a very emotional time in the dressing room following the game as the players were saying their farewells to each other. We have mentioned Ryder Murray, but he is joined by Veli Makinen, Marc-Antoine Arseneau, Adrien Guenette, Lee Pollitt, Nico Wilton, Larri Vartiainen, Hugo Noller and Temiscaming’s own Scott Sovinsky, who has spent 4 years wearing the Titans #22 jersey. To these players we say thank you for giving your all to the team, to the town and to your fans. Whatever hockey holds for you in your future, remember one thing “Titans for life” !