Eagles Win Game 2 OT Thriller!

 

Article by I. Schoonderbeek/Media by R. Mansfield & N. Schoonderbeek

It took the Clarington Eagles six periods before they could get on the scoreboard in their Schmalz Cup semi-final series against the Hanover Barons. As it turns out, that first goal was all they needed to turn the tide and get momentum back on their side. Clarington overcame a 2-0 third-period deficit, then scored in overtime to cap off a dramatic 3-2 win Sunday afternoon in Bowmanville.

Things didn’t start off so well for the hometown Eagles. Five minutes into the contest, during an abbreviated powerplay, a Barons’ skater carried the puck over the Clarington blueline and released a laser that eluded starter Oliver Webster in the Eagles net to jump in front early.

Much like game one Friday evening, scoring chances proved challenging. After two periods of play, the Eagles held a 16-7 shots on-goal advantage. But the Barons nursed their 1-0 lead into the third period.

A Clarington high-sticking penalty just 11 seconds into the third sent the Barons back to the powerplay. Hanover extended their lead on the man advantage, slamming home a rebound from the side of the crease on the play.

Things were beginning to look dire for Eagles fans. The 2-0 Hanover lead held up until just over 10 minutes remained in the third. That’s when Clarington got the break they were looking for.

The Eagles’ fourth line of Brayden Hicks, Leyton Aitken, and Everitt Corneil continued their strong play from two nights earlier. The unit created pressure in the Hanover zone before moving the puck to Nolan Matheson on the point. Matheson fired a hard shot that bounced off a body in front of the net before skipping past the Barons’ goalkeeper to pull the Eagles back within one.

The goal brought the Eagles bench and the fans in attendance to life. Clarington would continue to produce pressure throughout the period, directing 16 shots on the Hanover goal.

With 1:42 to play, Webster came to the bench for an extra attacker. It didn’t take the Eagles long to use the extra body in the offensive zone. With heavy traffic in front, the puck made its way to Trevor Urquhart at the side of the goal. Urquhart snapped home the tying marker with 1:30 left in regulation, sending the Eagles to overtime for the third time this post-season.

The Eagles ‘ top unit struck again just under 16 minutes into the extra frame. Kyle Smith finished off a goal-mouth scramble to chip the puck over the prone Barons’ goalkeeper to even the series up at one game apiece.

“There was a big scrum in front, and it popped right out to my stick,” said Smith. “I went forehand for a wide-open tap-in. Super excited to get it!”

Smith scores the OT goal and the Clarington crowd goes wild!

The hard-working Smith had been struggling in the goal-scoring department. The game-winner was only his third of the playoffs after scoring 24 during the regular season. His slump on the scoresheet certainly has not been due to insufficient effort. His scoring attempts that have rung off posts or crossbars this postseason must be nearing double digits, and he had a goal called back in Hanover on Friday. All the while, he has kept his nose to the grindstone playing a responsible 200-foot game.

Smith admitted the players may have been starting to squeeze their sticks a little too tight as they struggled to generate scoring opportunities. “It means everything (to score the first goal). Going five shut-out periods is tough. It gets hard, but the boys stayed with the program. We kept playing how Dean wanted us to, and we started putting some pucks in the net.”

Head coach Dean Baumhauer could see the frustration building on the bench as the game wore on with his team yet to score. “You start questioning yourself,” said Dean. “We went five periods without a goal, and I thought we were outplaying them. But you know what, throw pucks at the net and go get a garbage goal. And that’s what we did. It was nice to see Urquhart and Smitty step up. We need our top guys just like they need their top guys. That’s the hockey game. But in overtime, every forward played. There were contributions from everybody.”

Baumhauer also noted the bounce-back performances on the Clarington blueline after an underwhelming effort in game one. “Scoob, Matheson, Willy, Shep, Hall, Hammer, those six guys on the back end were incredible today. Webby let in two and then shut the door. When you’re only giving up two, and that’s all we gave up in game one without the empty netter, you’ve got a chance to win every night.”

“We’re back in the series now. It’s going to be a good one. We needed that win for our confidence.”

Game three is this Tuesday in Hanover. Puck drop is 8:00 pm.