Feb 12, 2018 | Bruce Schlitt | 174 views
Minor Atom AE Suffer OT Loss in Game 1
After battling back from a two goal deficit in the third period to force overtime in Game 1 of the OMHA Quarter Finals, the Guelph Gryphon Minor Atom AE's suffered a 4-3 defeat as the Milton Winterhawks lit the lamp 3:05 into the overtime period.
Based on regular season results a tight checking series was expected as the puck dropped in Game 1. Milton came out flying and caught the Gryphons on their heels. 48 seconds into the contest, Milton broke loose on a breakaway and slid the puck home for a 1-0 lead. Milton added another marker with 1:13 remaining in the period to take a 2-0 lead into the intermission.
With 7:24 left in the second period, defenceman Liam Conlon lugged the puck up ice and stuffed in a wrap around to get the Gryphons on the board and cut the Milton lead in half. However, Milton answered back 2:14 later and carried a 3-1 lead into the second intermission.
With 9:36 remaining in the game while Guelph was on the powerplay, a Caleb Davison shot was partially stopped but trickled behind the Milton goalie where Liam Bendo quickly stuffed it in to close the gap to 3-2. Then with 5:33 remaining, Peyton Markwood's cross ice pass sprung Matthew Mainprize on a breakaway and the Gryphon sniper made no mistake as his deke and backhander beat the Milton goalie and tied the game. The third period ended with the score tied at three and the game headed to overtime.
Guelph had two excellent chances to end the game early in overtime but just over three minutes into overtime, a Milton forward sprung loose and ended the game with a deke and shot.
Guelph trials the best of five series 1-0 with Game 2 this Saturday in Milton. The Gryphons return home for Game 3 on Sunday February 18.