Mar 26, 2016 | Bruce Schlitt | 903 views
Novice AA Lose Heartbreaker in Overtime, Off To Game 5
In a thrilling, wide open, back and forth game, The Burlington Eagles denied the Guelph AA Novice Gryphons a chance to clinch the Tri County Championship with a 6-5 overtime victory in Game 4. The Eagles win sets up a winner take all deciding Game 5 this Wednesday evening in Guelph.
The Gryphons came roaring out of the gate and drew first blood as Caysen Craig bulged the twine just 14 seconds into the game. Trenton Harris drew the assists. Burlington then came back and goals by Joshua Inness and Simon Garratt sent the Eagles into the first intermission with a 2-1 lead.
Just 23 seconds into the second period, Landon Mitchell tied the scored on a wraparound from behind the Burlington net. Nathan Schlitt drew an assist on the play. Two goals by Nathan Briggs just 21 seconds apart with four minutes left in the period gave Guelph a brief 4-2 lead. Koan Smith and Tanner Bothwell drew the assists. However, Inness and Jacob Power scored two minutes apart at tail end of the period so send the game into the second intermission deadlocked at 4.
With 8 minutes left, Nathan Schlitt and Matthew Stam worked the puck to Landon Mitchell in front and Mitchell banged it home to give Guelph the lead. As time wound down, the Eagles pulled their goalie and Jacob Power powered his way thru three defenders and slammed in the game tying goal with 36 seconds left, sending the game to overtime.
Guelph opened the overtime with two high quality chances but were unable to convert. Then, with 3:26 remaining. Joshua Inness completed his hat trick by scooping up a loose puck and lifting it up to the top the net.
Game 5 is set for this Wednesday in Guelph.