The Essex 73’s are heading to the Schmalz Cup final after holding off a late push from the Wingham Ironmen to win 3-2 in Essex on Tuesday night and wrap up the series in five games.

“I think our penalty kill was great tonight,” says Matt Hebert, the 73’s centre earning the hard hat in the dressing room after putting in a strong performance including a short-handed goal. “We got two short-handed goals, we were really aggressive on the penalty kill and I think that’s one of the big reasons we won tonight.”

73’s forward Dylan Solecki scored the other short-hand goal for Essex to open the scoring in the game. “Just kind of went to the point, won a little battle, took off and that was it; there was no looking back.”

Scott Bromley put in a strong game as well with a powerplay goal from captain Corey Beaulieu and Colin DeLaet in a game that saw all the goals come from special teams with three coming from penalty kills and the other two on powerplays.

“Feels pretty great but, I mean it felt great last year too heading into the finals,” says Solecki. “We’ve got one more step this year and that’s to actually win in the finals.”

The 73’s will face either the Grimsby Peach Kings or the Lakefield Chiefs in the Schmalz Cup final.