The Leamington Flyers are hoping a friend can help them stave off elimination Thursday in their best-of-seven West Conference final against Collingwood. With the Essex 73's out of the playoffs, after their game 7 loss in the Stobbs Division final to Lakeshore, Gabe Piccolo, who is an AP, will once again don the red and white.
"I'm excited," Piccolo told Powerplay Sports. "It's always an awesome time playing in that building. The fans are one of a kind."
He has played with the Flyers this year but only on the road. Piccolo hasn't played in the building since last year is knows what's at stake heading in. "I know the series isn't going the way they wanted it to but it's not over 'til the final game."
"I'm a big fan of his as a person and as a hockey player," said Flyers head coach Dale Mitchell. "He didn't win the Stobbs trophy but I know the impact he had on the team. He's gonna help us with leadership, energy."
Piccolo captained the 73's and also wore the "C" with the Flyers when they won the Sutherland Cup in 2023. "I'm excited he's going to inject energy into our lineup."
In their two series wins in these playoffs, the Flyers were able to win on the road. That hasn't been the case against the defending OJHL champs. The Blues shutout the Flyers in the series opener and took care of home ice with a 6-2 win Tuesday.
Collingwood stole game 2 in Leamington last Sunday with a 2-1 overtime victory. Mitchell says his team played a really good game and is hoping for the same effort with a better result in game 4.
"I'm proud of the way the guys have battled thus far," Mitchell said. "We obviously know it's not over. We wanna make sure we come out Thursday in front of our home crowd and give them a good show. I think the fans deserve it and I know our guys are gonna be ready to go."