The first week of post season play resulted in three close one-goal games in NDCHL hockey action.
All three were game one of best-of-three semifinal series.
DRAYTON 1 COMMUNITY 0
After a scoreless two periods, Rob DeWeerd snapped in a power play goal underneath the pads to give Drayton the third period lead. Assisted by Brandon Rumph.
The goal stood the test of time and proved to be the only goal of the game.
Kevin Ottens turned away 24 shots in net to earn the shutout.
FLORADALE 3 LISTOWEL 2
Listowel took an early lead in the first period when Mike Gingrich rolled the puck in the short side for the unassisted goal.
Floradale tied the game midway through the second with a shot through the five hole by Javan Martin. Assisted by Corey Wideman and Nick Martin.
Both teams exchanged goals in the final minute of the period. Josh Shantz scored for Listowel with a shot over the blocker, assisted by Braeden Gingerich.
Gary Martin finished a scramble at the net for the Floradale goal, assisted by Javan Martin.
It was the third period that decided the game.
Floradale took the lead to start off the third and held on for the win. Conner Bauman buried the puck as he was hauled down on the ice in a spectacular finish. Tim Martin drew an assist on the play.
BETHEL 3 MISSIONARY 2
This game required sudden-death overtime to decide the winner.
Following a scoreless first period Bethel used a power play in the second to take the lead.
A face off won by Ian Martin gave Nathan Holland a shot into the net.
A power play in the third gave Missionary the tying goal. Zach Franklin took a pass at the point and blasted the puck between the goaltender’s shoulder and the post for the goal. Jamie Hoelscher and Dylan Bults drew assists.
Matt Tyler scored to regain the lead for Bethel on a two-on-one rush with Kyle Martin.
Missionary stormed back with Dylan Bults scoring to send the game into overtime, assisted by Brady Franklin and Brady Claussen.
The game had reached the dying seconds of the sudden-death overtime period when Nathan Holland slipped a pass to Ian Martin, who snapped the puck into the top of the net to give Bethel the win.
