Back to back nail-biting, ab-crunching, breath-stealing games. That is what the fans received this weekend when the Arran-Elderslie Novice Rep IceDogs began their playoff series against the
Bruce Peninsula Predators.
The IceDogs had only won one game against the Predators in regular season play. With one tie and two losses in games the IceDogs knew that had to bring their A game to this series. History had shown them these games would be won or lost by one or two goals.
Game one was on Saturday morning at the Wiarton Arena. The game began 28 minutes late due to a minor problem with the officials. This did not seem to take any of the fire out the players. Period one ended scoreless, neither team was giving an inch. Most of the second period continued the same, no score. Just when we thought we were headed to the third period without a goal the Predators aggression in front of
Tyson L. paid off.
In the third period the IceDogs were determined to even the score. Despite many scoring opportunities it was beginning to look like they would not succeed
Emmett J. got his stick on a rebound in front of the Predators net and found a hole. The game was going into overtime.
The overtime period was more of the same. After 8 minutes of overtime play it seemed the game would never end. Unfortunately for the IceDogs the Predators luck came through and the game ended 2-1 Predators.
Game two was in Paisley on Sunday afternoon. The IceDogs had to win this one if they wanted there to be a games Three. It was like deja vu through the first period. Exactly like the previous days game each team gave it everything they had ending 0-0. But that and the nail-biting tension is where the similarity ended. With 3:51 remaining
Kayden W. put goal one on the scoreboard assisted by
Emmett J. The IceDogs used this momentum to carry them through the end of the second period.
The first half of the third period provided both teams with many shots on net. IceDog fans were beginning to have hope that the game would end with them scoring the only goal. These hopes were dashed at 4:16 when the Predators #7 evened the score. The next four minutes were a scramble, each team trying to get that final goal. With only seconds remaining it looked like we were headed into another overtime. However the IceDogs defense had other ideas.
Mitchell H. with the help of
Maddux O. put the game winning goal on the board with only 0:14 remaining in the game!
Game Three will be Saturday February 28th at 2:30PM in Lions Head.