Game # 12
Port Hope Predators 3 - Lindsay Muskies 2 (Shootout)
October 19th, 2007 in Lindsay
Summary
The disappointment of this shootout loss will probably stay with the players awhile, even though they gained a point from a good performance. They came so close to a morale-boosting win but gave up a goal thirty seconds from the end with the Port Hope goalie on the bench. The Fish, however, should take some pride from the way they played tonight because it was an excellent game of hockey for the 470 fans in attendance. The players will simply have to take out their frustrations on the Quinte West Pack when they come visiting on Sunday afternoon (2:30pm start).
Period 1
The first period was closely called by referee Coles, leaving the players in doubt they weren't going  to be getting away with anything in this game. In the first thirteen minutes or so the Predators probably edged the puck possession but the Muskies had more real scoring chances. Once again the Preds' goalie, Potvin, showed what an excellent goalie he is by stopping some tough shots. Then things changed when Ryan Oliver picked up four minutes in minors and Port Hope laid siege to the Muskies goal. This time, though, it was Lindsay netminder Richard Nerland who looked unbeatable. The end of the period came with both teams level at 0-0.
Period 2
The Muskies deservedly took the lead at 2:33 when Derek Davis tore down the right wing and blew a clean shot right past Potvin. The lone assist went to Kevin George. With the number of scoring chances that they were creating it wasn't a surprise that the Fish were ahead but unfortunately they couldn't hold on to the lead. The Preds managed to find a gap at the side of the net, with Jeremy McCarty putting it in. The visitors, in fact, had a great chance to take the lead when Jesse Stoughton picked up a turnover and skated in alone but Richard Nerland stood firm and turned his shot away. The penalties still came on a regular basis, especially when Cam Granger got cross-checked into the net and a scrum ensued. The outcome was a two and a ten for each team, plus an extra two for Port Hope. In truth, the two main combatants were perhaps lucky they would be allowed back in the game after their spell in the sin bin. Granger, in fact, had to be recalled from the locker room after the linesman had directed him to the exit gate instead of the penalty box. Tensions rose again when Jordon Sinclair was tripped into the goalpost but was strangely given the minor. As if the officials realised the error, what looked like a make-up call came to the Preds soon after on a weak interference call. Although there were some mistakes made, however, the stripes were doing a pretty good job under what could have been testing circumstances.
Period 3
The third period would ultimately lead to disappointment but the Fish came very close to securing the win in regulation. They recaptured the lead at 13:41 when Mike Wills and Cam Granger combined to move the puck up the right wing before Kyle Stojsin. He almost seemed to lose control of the puck but found it again and in a single motion he spun around and slipped the puck in at the near post to make it 2-1. The goal sparked the Preds into stepping up a gear and they came close to tying the scores when the puck sat all alone about a foot from the unguarded net but fortunately a Lindsay player was fastest to it and it was swept away. The visitors then boldly pulled the goalie for the extra attacker with a full ninety seconds remaining and it paid off. As they pressed, the Muskies had a good chance to clear their lines but with the player perhaps trying to avoid icing the puck, he put far too little on it and it was easily kept in the zone and it soon led to the equalizer. Just thirty seconds from a significant Lindsay win, the Predators seemed to send a fairly harmless effort towards the net but there was a lot of traffic in front of the goalie and he likely didn't see it. In fact Nerland was down on the ice and seemed to feel he might have been impeded but the officials wanted nothing to do with it. The goal was credited to Sean Bassingthwaite at 19:30.
Overtime
The extra five minutes settled nothing, although the two teams shared a total of nine shots between them, with neither club seeming to want the game to go to the dreaded shootout.
Shootout
The visitors were first to go in the shootout and Jordan Wilson quickly put them in front when he beat Nerland. The next four shooters all failed to find the target, with the two goalscorers in regulation, Derek Davis and Kyle Stojsin going for the Muskies. That meant it came down to Cam Granger to keep the Fish alive and he promptly did so when he found the top corner of the net. Next up for Port Hope was Chad Dunlop, to chorus of boos from the home fans and cheers from the visitors'. It was the latter who were smiling afterwards as Dunlop went out wide and skid the puck in behind Nerland. Ryan Oliver was sent out to try to save the day once more for Lindsay but he couldn't beat Potvin and once again the Muskies had to settle for second best in a game they could and perhaps should have won.
Box Score: Click here
Game Sheet: Click here
Photographs
Derek Davis gets up close and personal with Preds goalie Jeff Potvin early in the game.
Potvin wins this battle as he knocks away the shot with his blocker.
The Muskies take the lead in the second period as Derek Davis's shot goes right through the goalie.
The game was played without any obvious nastiness, with just a few overheated moments.
The Fish come close again.
Jordon Sinclair just can't quite get his stick to the puck in time.
For the second time in the game the Port Hope goalie travels a long way from his crease to avert danger.
Granger just can't force the puck past Potvin.
But soon after, Kyle Stojsin does just that to put the Muskies ahead 2-1.
With the game ultimately decided by the shootout, Cam Granger nets Lindsay's only successful attempt.