OCN forward Jeremy Dumont scored 50 seconds into overtime to give the Blizzard a 3-2 win over the Flyers on Sunday night and a 2-0 lead in the Semi-Final series. Despite tying the game late in regulation, and out chancing and out shooting their opponent, the Flyers dropped their second straight game of this best of seven series.
After losing 2-0 in the series opener the night before, the Flyers came out of the gate strong in Game Two, looking to even up the series before heading up north for Game’s Three and Four. Aided by three power-plays in the first, the Flyers outshot OCN 16-4 in the period but failed to find the target.
The Blizzard hit the scoreboard first with their second power-play goal of the series just 1:57 into the second frame. It was the sixth time in eight playoff games that the Flyers had given up the first goal of the game.
With 8:24 left in the period, the Flyers tied the game 1-1 when Brett Opperman fed the puck into the slot to Nathan Peabody who beat OCN goaltender Brett Epp for the first time in the series. Jeff Michiels snapped a 14 game pointless drought with the second assist.
With the Flyers outshooting OCN 25-13, the game went tied 1-1 into the third period. The Blizzard regained their lead just before the five minute mark of the third, when the Keeper brothers connected for a pretty goal to put OCN back on top 2-1.
The Flyers spent the rest of the period looking for the equalizer, and with 1:54 left on the clock they got it. Battling for position in front of the Blizzard net, Jeff Michiels redirected Braden Billaney’s shot from the left wing circle, tying the game 2-2. After the rest of regulation solved nothing, the Flyers were headed to overtime for the fourth time in the post-season.
However, the ending was not what the Flyers had hoped for, as Jeremy Dumont would track down a loose puck in front of the Winkler net and score the game winner just 50 seconds into period four.
Troy Martyniuk took the loss, making 22 saves overall. Winkler outshot the Blizzard 38-25 in the game. Winkler went 0-for-5 on the power-play and 1-for-2 on the penalty-kill.
With the Blizzard now leading the best of seven series 2-0, the series will shift to OCN for Game’s Three and Four on Wednesday and Thursday. Both games can be heard live on Country 88.9FM and online at www.pembinavalleyonline.com with Matt Friesen’s pregame show at 6:55pm. Puck drop both nights at the Gordon Lathlin Memorial Centre is 7pm.
The Green Valley Equipment 50-50 of $1140 went unclaimed on Sunday night. Winning ticket # is DD-134111. Email [email protected] if you have that ticket. Or call the Flyers office at 204-325-9411.
GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS
1ST STAR – D BRADY KEEPER (OCN)
2ND STAR – F JEFF MICHIELS (WINKLER)
3RD STAR – F JEREMY DUMONT (OCN)