Game # 6 Lindsay Muskies 3 - Kingston Voyageurs 4
September 27th, 2007 in Kingston
Summary
Another close game saw the Muskies come out on the wrong side of a one goal margin. Three times the Muskies took the lead and three times the Voyageurs pegged them back. It wasn't until the last five minutes that Kingston were able to edge in front but when they did they were able to hold on for the two points. Richard Nerland had another strong game in net, while Josh Ruys, Derek Davis and Alex Fiset scored at the other end. These two teams will meet again tomorrow (Friday) in the second half of the home and home. The Muskies may have some more firepower in their armoury by then with possible additions coming to town, including TJ Short who was in the stands this evening. TJ comes from Regina and is a 6' 2", 215lb centre.
Period 1
The Muskies began the game well, giving as good as they got, and at 1:53 they took the lead. Ryan Oliver picked off a weak Vees pass halfway inside the home zone then slipped the puck over to Josh Ruys who buried it through the five hole. The next few minutes belonged to the Muskies, partly because they had the first  powerplay opportunity of the game.  They couldn't make it count and the Vees were soon back in it. Two minor penalties just ten seconds apart gave Kingston the chance at a long two man advantage. They didn't need much of it to equalize. Just 6 seconds into it a pass from Sean McAllister flashed right across the top of the crease to James Cameron on the far side who one-timed a titanic shot into the net. The Muskies killed off the remaining advantage but continued to find themselves in penalty trouble. When Jordan Sinclair used a hook to prevent a scoring chance, it was followed soon after by a minor to goalie Richard Nerland who tried to clear the puck but put it just too high and got a delay of game penalty. This time, however, the Fish were able to defend the two man advantage very effectively, backstopped well by Nerland.  Just as it seemed inevitable the period would end tied, the Muskies seemed to go to sleep in the final dozen seconds and gifted the Vees two glorious chances close in. Nerland was in fine form, however, and prevented any damage.
Period 2
Kingston began the second period feverishly, laying siege to the Lindsay end for long spells. The comment was heard in the crowd that the Vees couldn't buy a goal but it was Richard Nerland and the defence in front of him that kept them out.  Then a reverse of the first period saw the Kingston momentum slowed by a series of penalties and the Fish came back into the game. They came close to scoring on a powerplay when a point shot was deflected up onto the crossbar. Josh Ruys came close to adding to his earlier goal on a couple of occasions, and Aaron Keaney was unlucky when he skated iaround the defence and into the crease, only to be denied by Hache in the Kingston net. The tie wasn't broken until there were only 12.2 seconds left. With the Muskies already on a powerplay and with referee Lavender's arm raised to indicate another home infraction, the Fish swarmed the net. After several attempts were blocked, Derek Davis got the vital touch to put Lindsay in front with twenty minutes to go. The assists went to Mike Taché and Kyle Stojsin.
Period 3
As it turned out, the Muskies weren't able to hang on for at least a point but they shouldn't be too disheartened as they gave a good account of themselves. Perhaps the turning point came at 3:08 when a terrible turnover just inside Lindsay's own blueline allowed Andrew Marcoux to pounce on the puck and skate in unopposed to beat Nerland to level the scores at 2-2. However, the Muskies didn't let it deflate them and they came right back and took the lead for the third time in the game. It came at 5:46 when Alex Fiset was able to force the puck home from the edge of the crease, assisted by Cam Granger and Aaron Keaney. It really looked like Lindsay would be able to hold on from there - if not for the win then for at least a point, but when Kingston got another powerplay chance halfway through the period, Jacob Wright was able to score with the puck being tipped in at the far side at 10:51. Although not on a powerplay, the winning goal was almost a repeat, with Josh Dadic getting his stick to the puck to again tip it in at the far post at 14:57. The Muskies tried hard to level again but the Vees made it hard for them with some strong forechecking and resilient blocking. The coaches pulled the goalie for the final minute but the Fish still weren't able to score a fourth.
Box Score: Click here
Game Sheet: Click here
Photographs
Josh Ruys gives the Muskies a great start by finding Matt Hache's five hole.
Hache holds on while Alex Fiset waits for any rebound.
The Vees came out flying in the second and the Fish had to work very hard to keep them out.
But as the period wore on, Lindsay began to create a few chances of their own.
Aaron Keaney goes in close but cannot get the puck past Hache.
Cam Granger's shot is blocked but soon after, Derek Davis would put the Muskies ahead 2-1.
After the Voyageurs level the score for the second time, Alex Fiset restores Lindsay's lead.
Trailing 4-3, one last effort is grabbed by Hache..