Tigers win OT thriller over Minnedosa
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Photo by Eoin Devereux. Neepawa goaltender Dez Ramsey stops a breakaway opportunity against the Minnedosa skater, during the Tigers 3-2 win on Sunday, Nov. 13.
By Eoin Devereux
Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press
The Neepawa Tigers wrapped up an extremely hectic week on a positive note Sunday, Nov. 13, with a 3-2 overtime win over the Minnedosa Chancellors. This was the third game in five nights for the Tigers, who closed out that part of their schedule with a win and two losses.
The Sunday night tilt at the Yellowhead Centre started strong for Neepawa with Will Rainka and Wiley Speiss each scoring in the first period to provide the home side a 2-0 advantage. The Tigers remained aggressive in the second, but couldn’t capitalize on their chances. As for Minnedosa, they were able to cut the deficit in half with 7:26 gone in the middle frame, scoring their first of the evening. The remainder of the second would see both teams exchange multiple opportunities for potential game changing goals. But goaltenders Dez Ramsey and Joe Lane each kept it close, at 2-1.
In the third, the level of play, which was already quite physical, started to get downright brutal, as players from both sides were left in heaps on the ice. This style of play ended up sending each team to the penalty box for extended stretches. With 10:56 left in the third, Minnedosa tied things up at 2-2, though Neepawa argued that the puck was kicked into the net. The referee disagreed with that suggestion and allowed the game tying goal. For the final few minutes of regulation, players on both sides of the puck desperately tried to put away one more goal, but Lane and Ramsey put in stellar performances to send it to overtime.
The Tigers kept constant pressure on Minnedosa goalie Joe Lane throughout regulation and overtime.
The eventual game winning goal was off an amazing effort from Brennan Wiebe, who cut into the Minnedosa zone with a Chancellor defender right on his back. Wiebe was still able to power through and send a backhander past Lane for the game-winner at 3-2.
Earlier in the week, the Glenboro/Carberry/Baldur Wildcats picked up their first win of Westman High School Hockey League season. Unfortunately for the Neepawa Tigers, it was at their expense, as they were toppled 4-3 in overtime. Cody Everett picked up the extra time winner to lift the Wildcats to victory on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
Neepawa had its opportunities against G/C/B, with a pair of power-play goals in the first period (Ben Rainka and Wiley Speiss), but couldn’t hold on to the advantage for the duration of the game. Ryan Kostenchuk secured the other goal for the Tigers.
On Saturday, Nov. 12, the Tigers travelled to Birtle to challenge the Falcons. In this showdown, Neepawa couldn’t find its offensive swagger and were shutout 1-0. Neepawa currently stands at a 2-2-2 record and six points. Neepawa’s next game is on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at home against the Dauphin Clippers. After that, the team has an extended break and won’t play another regular season game until Wednesday, Nov. 30.
