NDA Hockey Final - Patriotes force deciding game

Widdifield Wildcats goaltender Cody Doucette makes a stop on a point blank one-timer by Alain Desbois. Photo by Chris Dawson.

The Franco Cite Patriotes built up a 3-0 lead and overcame a furious second period comeback with a pair of quick goals early in the third as they defeated the Widdifield Wildcats 7-5 Saturday night at Memorial Gardens.

Joel Bazinet, Eric Arcand and Alain Desbois gave the Pats a huge 3-0 lead in the opening period as the defending NDA champion Widdifield Wildcats were hoping for a sweep in the final series.

The Wildcats won game 1 of the final 3-1 Tuesday night in Sturgeon Falls.

The Wildcats battled back with 4 second period goal including a pair from Brandon Burke along with goals by Tanner Brunet and Cam Gummo.

However, instead of riding that momentum, the Wildcats came out flat as Pascal Seguin scored on a long drive from the blue line that went through the wickets of Wildcats goalie Cody Doucette.

Just over a minute later, Alain Desbois buried a rebound for his second of the game to give the Pats a 2-goal cushion.

The Wildcats waited until the 14 minute mark to cut into the lead as Paygibe Wabano banged home a shot during a furious scramble in front of the Pats net.

Joel Bazinet sealed the victory with an empty netter in the final minute.

The third and deciding game of the NDA final will take place Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. at the Sturgeon Falls Community Centre where a pro West Nipissing contingient will hope for a Franco NDA victory which would end a 15-year NDA Hockey Championship drought for the Sturgeon Falls high school.