Playoffs
Port Hope Predators 3 - Lindsay Muskies 4
Round One, Game Two
February 17th, 2008 in Minden
Summary
The Muskies strapped on their workboots and ensured that this series will go at least four games as a hardworking performance enabled them to tie the series at a game apiece. Ryan Oliver found the net twice, whilst Rob Kay and Kyle Stojsin both had three point nights. Richard Nerland put in a very solid performance between the pipes to backstop the win. The game was also notable for being exceptionally well officiated by Steve Brown and his crew as they used humour and clear instructions to keep on top of what could have been a difficult game, especially with two long delays in the second period. The series returns to Port Hope on Monday before venturing up to Minden again on Wednesday for Game Four.
Period 1
The first period ended with the two teams tied at 1:1, but that maybe flattered the Muskies a little, although it was often a well-balanced encounter. The Predators were clearly determined to grab the series by the throat and came out hard. As they had on Friday, they finished their checks much more often than the Fish. Their hard work brought the opening goal at 6:28 when Chad Dunlop beat Richard Nerland from five feet out. The Muskies forced Billy Stone into several good saves, but it seemed more likely that any more goals would come at the other end as Port Hope had the better quality chances. But that wasn't how things turned out, due to excellent work by Nerland and then a decisive finish by Shayne Taylor. The Muskies got in close to the crease and got in several shots that were blocked and scrambled away, but deep in the crowd in the blue paint, Taylor got the final touch to force the puck in. It came at 17:52 and was assisted by Cam Granger and Kevin George. Just seconds before the buzzer, George almost put Lindsay in front but his rising shot was tipped over by Stone at the last possible moment.
Period 2
The play in the second period was twice delayed due to problems with the arena. About five minutes in, a clearing shot struck the timekeeper's booth and damaged the timekeeping and scoring equipment. A lengthy delay wasn't enough to fix the problem and the game restarted with the time being kept on an iPod. Coach Drumm spent much of the delay talking to his players about the need to remain focused but maybe they weren't listening too well as when the play restarted, the Muskies quickly took the lead. A really nice passing play started by Rob Kay and Kyle Stojsin ended with Ryan Oliver firing past Billy Stone at 5:32. Not long after that, play was interrupted again when part of one of the stanchions needed to be replaced, which at least gave enough time to finally solve the clock problem. The Predators had a chance to even things up when they got the only powerplay of the period almost nine minutes in, but just as they had been on Friday, the penaltykillers were outstanding and preserved the lead. The visitors weren't to be denied, though, and they finalled pulled level at 11:09 through Tyler Miller. The danger seemed to be past when he was forced wide of the goal but he somehow managed to spin and force the puck between Nerland and the post.
Period 3
The Muskies grabbed the victory with an excellent third period performance. Lindsay's third goal was very similar to their second as Stojsin, Kay and Oliver again combined to pass their way around the Port Hope defence before the Muskies #10 beat Stone for the second time in the game. It came at 6:32, meaning there was a lot of time left and an insurance marker would be really helpful. That was what they got at 12:05 as Kyle Stojsin turned goalscorer, firing another crisp shot into the net, assisted by Rob Kay and Alex Charette. That was the end of the night for Stone as he was pulled and replaced by Spencer Finney. On the whole, the Muskies defended their two goal lead very well, but it turned out that the insurance goal was needed. The Predators pushed hard in the final minutes and got a break with 84 seconds remaining. Two Lindsay players collided with each other at the blue line, with both falling to the ice, allowing Port Hope enough space to capitalize. It was Brooks Mejia who got the goal, firing through the Richard Nerland's five-hole. The Preds played almost all the remaining time with their goalie replaced by an extra forward and it nearly paid off again. Danger man Tyler Miller got behind the Lindsay defence and found himself one-on-one with Nerland, but the netminder did a wonderful job to deny him. Both teams scrapped for the puck in the dying seconds but the Predators couldn't find a way through and the Fish emerged triumphant.
Box Score: Click here
Game Sheet: Click here
Photographs
Bethany Rees sings the national anthem as the Muskies get ready to battle for their playoff lives.
Billy Stone denies Ryan Oliver on this occasion, but later the Lindsay forward would win the battle twice.
Somewhere in the crowd, Shayne Taylor managed to force the puck in to make it 1-1.
Kyle Stojsin gets the Muskies' fourth - it would turn out to be the game winner.