Game # 1 Port Hope 5 - Lindsay Muskies 2
September 7th, 2007
Summary
Things didn't quite go according to plan for the Muskies as they played very well but could never get themselves into the lead. Two late empty net goals gave the visiting Preds a much greater winning margin than they deserved, having been outshot by the Fish in every period. Chris Fearneley played a solid game in net for Lindsay and Alex Charette and Mike Madgett chipped in with the goals. These two teams will face each other again next Friday in a repeat of this evening's match up and on tonight's evidence it could well be a humdinger.
Period 1
The new Muskies gave a good account of themselves in the first period, especially around the visitors' net. Lindsay had a good chance to take the lead just a couple of seconds into their first powerplay when Josh Ruys was allowed to get past the defence and launch a fierce shot, which Potvin did well to get his glove up to deflect. It was a powerplay the other way that then enabled the Predators to take the lead. Jordan Wilson was allowed too much room to cut across goal and beat Fearneley at 3:10. The Muskies came back well and tied the game up on another powerplay of their own. A blast from Aaron Keaney hit Potvin in the chest and bounced up, and when the puck came back to the ice, Alex Charette was the first to it and he forced it in at 6:06. The other assist went to team captain Corey George. The rest of the period saw a flurry of of penalty calls, most against the visitors.  Neither team found the net again but Lindsay certainly had their chances.
Period 2
The Muskies had no jump at all to start the second and it didn't take long for Port Hope to profit.  At 1:16 some sloppy play around the Lindsay net allowed controversial Chad Dunlop to put the Preds back out in front. It woke the Muskies up, though, and they almost scored one of their own from the restart but again Potvin made the save as Derek Davis got behind the defence. The Fish kept coming, though, and the tying goal had a western flavour to it as Travis Herlein (Calgary) and Rory Landry (Banff) set up Mike Madgett who swept the puck in after rounding the net. The goal timed at 8:48.  The Muskies were looking good and passing the puck well, but another penalty cost them the momentum and a goal. It came at 12:16 when Dunlop was allowed to spend too long at the top of the crease. Another penalty soon after threatened to double Port Hope's advantage but it was Lindsay who came closest to scoring. The lightning quick Cam Granger appeared from nowhere to ghost past the static defence and then deke the goalie outrageously, but his shot on the empty net lacked accuracy and it hit the side of the net. The Muskies certainly weren't being outplayed and were showing a lot of promise for the season to come but just needed to get their noses out in front.
Period 3
The third would bring nothing but heartache for the home team. They played very well and put a lot of pressure on the Preds. They even thought they had tied the game in the first thirty seconds but referee Coles ruled the puck had not crossed the line. Try as they might, though, the Muskies could not get back on level terms, although they seemed to be the better team in the final twenty minutes. With time running out, the coaching staff pulled goalie Chris Fearneley but it didn't work as Jordan Wilson scored into the empty net at 19:24. Thirty seconds later, the Muskies tried the trick again but again it resulted in a Port Hope empty net goal, this one coming from Nathan Joy.
Box Score: Click here
Game Sheet: Click here
Photographs
The team lines up to be introduced to the crowd.
The traditional puck drop, with mayor Rick McGee and Councillor Lawder.
The action begins and Alex Fiset waits for a loose puck but Potvin holds on.
After Port Hope take the lead, the Muskies come right back with one of their own from Alex Charette.
#12 Mike Madgett watches as things get a little heated near the end of the first period.
The Muskies continue to press.
Fiset is in the thick of the action again.
In the second period, Mike Madgett scores on his Lindsay debut.
The parade to the bench is led by #14 Travis Herlein and #27 Rory Landry, who both got assists on the goal.
At the start of the third period, Ryan Oliver (#10) and Kyle Stojsin (#22) of the Muskies claim the tying goal but referee Cole has a good look and rules otherwise..