Game # 3 Peterborough 2 - Lindsay Muskies 3 (Shootout)
September 21st, 2007
Summary
Tonight's game was just what the doctor ordered as the fans who chose to come to the game instead of attending the Lindsay Central Exhibition were treated to a good tilt between two teams who wanted to play hockey. The Muskies built up a two goal lead but the Stars hit back with two of their own and finished the stronger team. It was debutant goalie Richard Nerland, formerly of the Thunder Bay Bearcats, who earned Lindsay the chance to take the two points via the penalty shootout, during which only Kyle Stojsin could find the net. In regulation, Aaron Keaney and Jordon Sinclair had the goals for the home team.The head coaches for both teams were absent as Tom Thornbury and Paul Mattucci both sat out the the first part of a two game suspension. So the benches looked a little unfamiliar as Dale MacLeish took charge for Lindsay and former Muskies coach Dave Clement took over for Peterborough.
Period 1
The first period was everything the Muskies could have hoped for after the events of the past week, Both teams played some neat hockey and entertained the crowd.  New goalie Richard Nerland looked the part as he made some important saves, including a fine stop on a Peterborough breakaway.  The Muskies got their first lead of the season with 16:56 gone and it had a big stroke of luck about it. But the scorer, Aaron Keaney, won't be complaining considering the terrible luck he has had in front of goal recently. This one wasn't scored from in front of the net, though. He took the puck around behind the net and from the corner he sent it in towards the crease. There it ricocheted off several Stars skates before finding its way into the net. The lone assist went to Kyle Stojsin.
Period 2
When Jordon Sinclair got on the end of a pretty passing play to make it 2-0 at 3:45 of the second, it looked like the Muskies might win comfortably. Derek Davis and Kevin George moved the puck around sweetly before it was centred to Sinclair who flicked it home. Soon after, Alex Fiset had a great chance to make it 3-0 when the puck came to him all alone ijust outside the crease but Zac Fryia in the Peterborough net made a great save. But at 16:10 the Stars got back into the game with a rather lucky goal of their own as a shot from way out by Al Joanette took a couple of deflections before finding the top corner. After the luck they had with their first goal, the Muskies could hardly complain. The Stars finished the period strongly but at the second break, Lindsay still had the lead.
Period 3
The game was generally being played in a good spirit - unlike some games with our near rivals in the past. There was one fight seven and a half minutes into the third period. Matt Gray and Aaron Keaney were penalized for roughing and then Gray made the mistake of getting into a fight with Josh Ruys. It might best be described as a brave learning experience for Gray who suffered from being five inches and fifty pounds smaller than his opponent. Soon after, however, the Stars equalized. Corey O'Brien was given way too much time to find the top corner from just outside the top of the crease. Soon after, Peterborough had an equally good chance to take the lead but Richard Nerland pulled off a magnificent save. Nerland was then called on to make half a dozen more good saves before the Muskies could put their first point of the season in the bank.
Overtime
Overtime saw a total of three shots, two of them to Lindsay, but it never really looked like deciding the outcome. The Stars did get a powerplay to work with but it only started 19 seconds from the end and didn't amount to anything.
Shootout
Richard Nerland saved the first two Peterborough penalty shots, sandwiched around a failed effort by Lindsay's Cam Granger. But then Kyle Stojsin forced Fryia to make his move early and the Lindsay forward simply slid the puck wide and tucked it in behind him. The Stars' last life fell to former Muskie Ryan Herlihey but once again Nerland was down to block his effort and Lindsay had its first win of the season.
Box Score: Click here
Game Sheet: Click here
Photographs
Early on, Cam Granger is slammed into the crossbar after the whistle.
Aaron Keaney gets a bit of luck as his centering attempt hits some Peterborough skates and goes through the goalie's feet to open the scoring.
The Stars' defence do a good job of tying up their man in front of goal.
Zac Fryia in the Peterborough net wins this battle.
But Fryia can do nothing to stop Jordon Sinclair scoring on his Lindsay debut to make it 2-0 to the Fish.
New signing Richard Nerland had an outstanding game in net for Lindsay.
After last week, there was little in the way of nastiness in tonight's game, just the occasional hotspot.
In the end, Kyle Stojsin secures the win by tucking the puck in behind Fryia in the penalty shootout.
These young fans could go home happy - with a win and a game puck.