The West Nipissing Lynx and Ville Marie Pirates faced off last week in GMHL playoff action. 
Matthias Weistche (centre) and the Lynx celebrate one of his three goals in the Lynx game 4 win. 
Coach Moe Mantha strategizes with the the Lynx in the final minutes of game 4 against the Ville Marie Pirates. The Lynx defeated the Pirates 6-4 to win the playoff series 3 games to 1.
Jason Steven
Special to the Tribune
West Nipissing Lynx coach Moe Mantha says it has been a complete team effort needed so far in the GMHL playoffs, and that team effort has seen the team push their way into the North Division finals, just a few wins away from advancing to the Russell Cup.
In front of a jam-packed Marcel & Jane Labbe Arena crowd, the Lynx completed a 3-games-to-1 series win over the Ville Marie Pirates. In the series finale, the Lynx jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead, on goals by Nathan Fisher, Matthias Weistche and Carson Laronde, before the Pirates scored back-to-back goals to narrow the lead to 3-2 after 20 minutes. The line of Weistche, Laronde and Alexandre Dubuc dominated the second period, with Weistche scoring twice, both assisted by Laronde and Dubuc. A late goal by Ville Marie made it 5-3 after the second period. Dubuc made it 6-3, and the Lynx held off the Pirates, making the final 6-4. Goaltender Vladislav Morozyuk turned aside 41 of 45 shots sent his way.
“They have a great team over there, we needed a total team effort, right out from the goalie, defence and forwards,” coach Mantha said.
The Lynx won the first 2 games of the series by scores of 6-4 in game 1 and 6-5 in game 2, where Dubuc scored the shootout winner. Ville Marie took game 3 on their home ice 3-1.
The series was exciting on the ice, but was played under difficult circumstances for the Pirates, as just days before the puck dropped on the series, the Pirates’ 19-year-old forward Mathias Trottier was killed in a snowmobile accident.
“Everyone grieves differently, it can be motivating to some, who play even harder to win for their teammate,” said Mantha. “They played hard, they have a great team.”
In tough against the Rattlers
Waiting for the Lynx in the Division final were the Bradford Rattlers, who suffered only 3 losses all season.
“We will have to be disciplined, stay out of the penalty box against the Rattlers – they are a run-and-gun team,” said Mantha before the series started.
The series kicked off March 9 and 10 in Bradford, with the Rattlers winning convincingly by scores of 10-3 and 7-1. The series continued March 12 and 13 at the Marcel & Jane Labbe Arena.
First Round Sweep
The Lynx swept away le Becard de Senneterre 2 games to none, but despite the back-to-back lopsided wins, the series left coach Mantha somewhat sour, losing two players, Liam Thor and Tyler Brunet, for the remainder of the season due to injuries.
