FLORADALE 4 – DRAYTON 3
Both teams were eager to claim the first win of the best-of-five ‘A’ Division Nichols finals.
Drayton struck midway through the first period. Good forechecking by Rob DeWeerd turned the puck over at the Floradale blue line and gave Joe Heenan a rush at the net. Heenan cut in front of the net-minder and knifed the puck over his shoulder with a backhander. Floradale tied the game with only two seconds left in the period. Gary Martin fought his way over the blue line, intercepted the goaltender’s clearing attempt and flipped the puck into the open net.
Drayton regained the lead in the second period. Jason Mohle poked the puck into the short side corner for the go-ahead goal. The play was set up by Dave Mulder and Joe Heenan.
Floradale started the third with a power-play goal to even the score. Dan Martin teed it up for Josh Brohman at the right point. Brohman blasted a slap shot to the back of the net.
Drayton responded to regain the lead. Scott Nieuwland blasted the puck into the goaltender’s pads with a hard slapshot and Jason Mohle buried the rebound.
Floradale pulled their goaltender in the final minute of play for the extra forward. Ryan and Javon Martin worked the puck around the net. A quick pass to Alex Martin cutting in on net gave him a chance to flick the puck into the top corner to send the game into sudden-death overtime.
It took until the second overtime period before the game was decided. Corey Wideman picked up a loose puck and knifed a backhand through the five hole to complete the come-from-behind victory.
Jason Newton faced 24 shots on net for the victory. Kevin Ottens faced 46 shots in the Drayton goal.
COMMUNITY 4 – LISTOWEL 3
This single game ‘B’ Division qualifier would send one team to the division finals and the other home.
Listowel scored two unanswered goals in the first period to set up an early lead. Phil Shantz skated across the crease and backhanded the puck into the far corner for the first goal. Andrew Jantzi followed with a wrist shot from a nice pass by Phil Shantz. Josh Shantz assisted the first goal.
Community came back in the second period with a power play goal. Kevin Gingrich worked the puck deep and Gerald Martin tucked the puck in from behind the net.
Community went on to tie the game late in the period. Gingrich carried a loose puck down the ice. When he hit the blue line he blasted a slapshot that sent the puck under the goaltender’s pads for the tying tally.
Community opened the third period with a power play goal to take the lead for the first time. John Horst fed the puck to Tony Martin who crossed the blue line and snapped a rising shot into the top corner.
Listowel pulled their goaltender in the final minute of the game, but John Horst grabbed the loose puck and sent it into the open net to secure the win.
The win sends Community to the B Division Stelco Finals against Missionary.
