The Floradale Rams are on top of the Northern District Church Hockey League again after a 2-1 win over Drayton.
The final game was a back-and-forth affair. It was nearly five minutes into the game before the first whistle, with the action from end to end.
With just over three minutes left in the first period, Drayton struck. A scramble in front of the Floradale net ended with Pat Landman banging in the rebound.
In the second period, there were plenty of chances for both teams. Floradale goalie Jason Newton made some big saves to keep Floradale within one, but Floradale could not solve Drayton netminder Kevin Ottens, who answered Newton save for save. That continued for nearly the entire second frame, but with 38.9 seconds left, Floradale gained some life going into the intermission. Brandon Jefferson was sprung on a partial break and buried a shot over Ottens’ glove to knot the game at one apiece.
Midway through the third period, with Floradale on the power play, Ottens proved that your best penalty killer is your goaltender, making a huge save on Jefferson, who tried to slide a shot in back door only to have it slammed shut by Ottens’ right pad. Floradale continued to press, and seconds after the penalty expired, Nick Martin got the puck in the slot and roofed a shot off the crossbar and in for the eventual championship-clinching goal.
