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Blast's McGrath 'getting better and better'

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Forward Evan McGrath says he was just doing his part by scoring the series-winning goal that sent the Brantford Blast to the Allan Cup Hockey championship.

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“A lot of the guys put a lot of time into the team,” the 34-year-old said of his goal Monday that gave the Blast a 5-4 win over the Dundas Real McCoys, earning Brantford a 3-2 win in the best-of-five semifinal series.

He said the Blast players worked hard to keep alive their goal of a league championship.

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“It was definitely a nice feeling to win.”

McGrath and the Blast played Game 1 late Friday night in Hamilton with the Steelhawks taking a 1-0 lead in the final thanks to an 8-4 win.

Game 2 is Sunday at 8 p.m. in Brantford at the civic centre.

After a 13-year professional career, McGrath played in only four regular-season games with the Blast and semifinal after deciding he could take time away from a wealth management company he and an acquaintance recently started.

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Growing up in Oakville, McGrath eventually made his way to the Ontario Hockey League with the Kitchener Rangers. During his rookie season of 2002-03, the team won the Memorial Cup Canadian junior championship.

“We had a pretty good team that year with guys like Mike Richards, Derek Roy, Steve Eminger and Dave Clarkson, the list goes on and on and on,” said McGrath, who also played with current Blast teammate and Brantford native Cam Fergus on that Rangers team.

“It was cool to be part of.”

McGrath was drafted in the fourth round (128th overall) of the 2004 NHL entry draft by the Detroit Red Wings. Putting up 114 points in 67 games during his final OHL season, McGrath was looking forward to what was next.

“I had a pretty high expectation for myself,” he said. “Everybody hopes of having a lifelong career in the NHL. Unfortunately it didn’t work out that way for me but my career gave me a lot of great times and a lot of great memories.”

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McGrath played in the American Hockey League and ECHL before heading overseas to play in Europe.

“The AHL gave me a lot of great years, unfortunately, I didn’t see things changing or getting better,” he said.

“I had a great opportunity come along in Sweden and I don’t regret a minute of it. I had five great years in Sweden.”

McGrath said the European leagues featured featured great hockey, teammates and crowds. But, after playing last season with the Sheffield Steelers of the United Kingdom’s Elite Ice Hockey League, he decided to return home and start the business.

While he was with Sheffield, he played with current Blast players Jordan Owens and Chris Lawrence. However, he was lured to Brantford by Blast general manager Tony Falasca.

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“Tony was the one who brought me in.”

McGrath wasn’t sure he wanted to play but, now that he’s back, he is enjoying it.

“My timing is definitely a little bit off,” he said. “I still don’t feel as I should but I feel better and better after each game.

“Hopefully, I can produce a little bit more in this next series.”

McGrath and his wife, Maddison, have a five-year-old daughter, Elle. Maddison is the daughter of NHL hall of famer Doug Gilmour.

“He’s always been a big supporter of mine,” McGrath said of his father-in-law. “I’ve been very lucky to have somebody like him in my life ….”

Game 3 in the final series is in Hamilton on March 13 at 7:30 p.m. ,with Game 4 in Brantford on March 15 at 8 p.m. If necessary, Game 5 is March 20 in Hamilton at 7:30 p.m., Game 6 is March 22 in Brantford at 8 p.m. and March 27 in Hamilton at 7:30 p.m.

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A win in the final would send the Blast to the Allan Cup Canadian senior men’s hockey championship, April 6-11.

McGrath said he would love to win the Allan Cup.

“All the guys I talk to about it have nothing but amazing things to say about the tournament and the experience,” he said. “To add that to the resume, to try to enjoy that and have fun with the guys, would be awesome.”

McGrath said it is too early to think about next season.

“I’m going to take it one year at a time but, at the same time, I could very, very easily see myself playing next year.”

And he praised his teammates.

“It’s a great group of guys so it makes it a lot of fun. That’s a big reason why I played again.”

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