The Melfort Mustangs and Estevan Bruins needed OT on Tuesday night to decide Game 3. It was the Mustangs who came away with the win taking a 2-1 lead in the Best of 7 SJHL Quarter-Final Series.
The First Period had a very back and forth feel with both teams getting chances. However it was Shawn Parkinson and Keenan Rancier who stood tall keeping the game deadlocked at zero heading to the second period.
In that middle period, Game 3 would finally get going. The Bruins opened the scoring the same way they did in Games 1 and 2. Yes all three games, the Mustang surrendered the first goal of the contest. This time it was Jayden Davis late in the second period who gave the Bruins the lead.
In the third, the Mustangs would battle back throwing everything at goaltender Keenan Rancier. Finally they would break through as Vaclav Prospal would even the game at 1. Assists to Adam Nobes and Colton Schell on the goal.
Vaclav Prospal ties the game late in the third period!
Prospal’s first goal of the playoffs would send the game to overtime.
In overtime the Mustangs controlled most of the play and took a lead on the shot clock as well. 14-4 the Mustangs would out shoot the Bruins in overtime. Andrew Hunt would eventually poke the puck free to Nolan Kadachuk. Kadachuk moved it down low to Nobes who found a streaking Andrew Hunt backdoor for the game winner.
Andrew Hunt wins it on OT!
It took 10 minutes of extra Hockey and the Melfort Mustangs would come away with a 2-1 win, taking a 2-1 lead in the series.
Leading Playoff Scorers
Melfort
Adam Nobes 0G, 3A – 3P
Christian Albertson 2G, 0A – 2P
Tyson Meyers 0G, 2A – 2P
Estevan
Eddie Gallagher 1G, 3A – 4P
Troy Hamilton 2G, 0A – 2P
Griffin Asham-Moroz 1G, 1A – 2P
Game 4 goes tonight once again from Affinity Place in Estevan. The game begins at 7:30pm and it can be seen on HockeyTV or heard on the airways with Mat Barrett on 750 Beach Radio.
With a win the Mustangs would take a 3-1 series lead and have a chance to close it on home ice on Friday. With a Bruins win the series would once again be tied 2-2 turning it into a best of 3.
Either way, Game 5 will happen in Melfort on Friday night. Game time is 7:30pm and tickets are available right now at tickets.melfortmustangs.com!
Photo Credit: Mat Barrett