The Clarenville Caribous are one win away from winning their second straight Central West Senior Hockey League championship and playing for the Herder Memorial Trophy.
The Caribous fell behind 3-0 after the first period, but scored five second-period goals en route to a 7-4 win over the Gander Flyers and a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Central West final.
After dropping the first game of the series in Gander, the Caribous have reeled off three straight victories, including a 3-2 win Saturday night.
At the Eastlink Events Centre in Clarenville, Ryan Delaney scored three goals and added an assist, while Keith Delaney potted one goal and assisted on two others for the homestanding Caribous Sunday. Ryan Desrosiers also had a goal and two assists for the winners, who also received goals from Kenny Mahoney and Mason Reid. Brett Shute, Josh Fitzgerald, Jordan Escott and Thomas Hedges had the Gander goals. Mitch Oake collected three assists.
Clarenville outshot Gander 36-34. Jason Churchill and Tyler Whiffen were in goal for the Caribous, while Doug Pippy was between the pipes for the Flyers, who finished first in the regular season, one point ahead of Clarenville.
Saturday night in Clarenville, all the scoring came in the third period as Kevin Reid tallied twice for the Caribous, and Keith Delaney had the other goal. Andrew Paul and Andrew Ryan replied.
Shots were an even 22-22 with Whiffen recording the win over Pippy.
The Caribous can wrap things Friday night with a win in Gander. If the Flyers extend the series, Game 6 will be played Saturday night in Clarenville. And if there’s a Game 7 required, it will be played Sunday afternoon at the Steele Community Centre in Gander.
Twitter: @telysports
