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Eagles win third consecutive game in overtime against Pirates
Emily Plihal
for Smoky River Express
The intensity of the semi-final round of the NPHL (North Peace Hockey League) playoffs was heightened going into game five in McLennan on March 6.
Going into the game Lakeland and Pirates were tied at two wins apiece in the best-of-seven game series.
With emotions hung lightly on their sleeves, the Eagles and Pirates faced off in McLennan.
A number of fans from both Falher and McLennan flocked to see their hometown teams battle for the rights to be top in the East Division.
Lakeland opened the scoring at 6:27 on the power play with a goal by Catlin Marshall. His goal was assisted by Tyler Shantz and Junior Anderson.
Falher answered back at 14:10 on the power play, with a marker made by Richie Molenaar. His goal was assisted by Jason Bouchard and Brennen Francon.
Daniel Aubin scored the Pirates’ second goal at 15:25 unassisted.
Lakeland tied the game at 18:49 on the power play. Jay Anderson was awarded the goal, assisted by C. Anderson and Rocky Collins.
Second period action was controlled by the Eagles. The first goal by the team was marked at 8:47 by Travis Cunningham. His goal was assisted by Ashley Cameron and Shantz.
Chris Noskey scored at 11:08 to give the Eagles a 4–2 lead going into the third. His goal was assisted by Joey Anderson.
End-to-end action in the third period proved to benefit the Pirates fast offensive line.
Captain Jason Bouchard scored his first goal of the game at 1:07, assisted by Francon.
Keith Reade, who has had a target on his back the entire series, scored his first goal of the game at 15:02 unassisted.
Reade’s goal forced an extra 10 minute, sudden death overtime period.
The overtime period was welcomed gratefully by both Pirates and Eagles fans in attendance, the crowd was electric as the buzzer sounded to commence the period.
The Eagles took the series lead at 5:09 in overtime. James Tallman scored the game winning goal for the Eagles, assisted by Travis Cunningham and Shantz.
With the win, the Eagles took the 3–2 lead in the series against the Pirates.
After the overtime goal was scored, Pirates tough-man Kurtis Swanson jumped off the bench to pursue the Eagles’ players. When the linesman grabbed Swanson, he then proceeded to throw his stick at McLennan goalie Kyle Shantz. As a result of his behaviour, Swanson was issued a gross misconduct.
The winner of the Falher/Lakeland series will be playing against Grande Prairie Athletics in the NPHL playoff finals.
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Jared Zawacki and Eagles’ Craig Anderson battle in front of Eagles’ goalie Kyle Shantz.
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