Photo Courtesy: Melissa Baker Photography
Fort McMurray, AB – The Whitecourt Wolverines evened their North Division Semi-Final series against the Fort McMurray Oil Barons with a 4-3 overtime win in game two.
The teams appeared to be skating to a second consecutive scoreless first period but with just under 20 seconds to go in the opening frame, Hayden Clayton knocked in a rebound following a Chase Haygarth shot to give the Wolverines a 1-0 lead heading to the second period.
Hayden Clayton would again find the back of the net in the second period and again it would be late in the stanza with a Chase Haygarth setup as he ripped in a one-timer from the right wing circle.
The Oil Barons came to life in the third period and just over four minutes in they got on the board as a shot pinballed off the side of the Wolverine net and then off a Wolverine in front, Jarred White would be given credit for the goal. 15 seconds later the game was tied as Liam Izyk walked out of the left wing corner and after he was stopped, Reed Morison shoveled in the rebound. The Wolverines restored their lead just 45 seconds later as Stevie Bryant connected with Ben Evanish on a two-on-one rush. The Oil Barons pressed for an equalizer and in the final seconds, Reed Morison re-directed home his second goal of the night on a point shot from Jordan Roy sending the teams to overtime for a second straight game.
The Wolverines were able to regroup quickly in the intermission and end the game just over six minutes into the bonus period as Tyr Thompson sent Yannik Bertrand in on a partial break where Bertrand would laser a shot over the glove of Oil Baron goalie Chris Curr to level the series at one win apiece.
Game three of the series goes Monday night in Whitecourt at the Scott Safety Centre with a 7:30 p.m. opening faceoff.
Scoring Summary
1st Period:
WCT Goal – 19:40 – Hayden Clayton(1) from Chase Haygarth (EV)
2nd Period:
WCT Goal – 16:47 – Hayden Clayton(2) from Chase Haygarth and Greg Mulhall (EV)
3rd Period:
FM Goal – 4:06 – Jarred White(3) from Taner Miller (EV)
FM Goal – 4:21 – Reed Morison(3) from Liam Izyk and J.C. Thivierge (EV)
WCT Goal – 5:06 – Ben Evanish(3) from Stevie Bryant and Spencer Bast (EV)
FM Goal – 19:20 – Reed Morison(4) from Liam Izyk and Jordan Roy (EV)
Overtime:
WCT Goal – 6:11 – Yannik Bertrand(1) from Tyr Thompson and Simon Lavoie (EV)
Shots – WCT 37 (9-9-17-2) FM 29 (6-7-13-3)
Power plays – WCT 0/4 FM 0/3
Goalies:
WCT – Xavier Potvin (4-1) 26sv/29sh
FM – Chris Curr (4-1) 33sv/37sh
Three Star Selection:
1. WCT-Yannik Bertrand
2. WCT-Hayden Clayton
3. FM-Reed Morison
Danali's Handyman and Rental Service Hardest Working Wolverine: Chase Haygarth
Recap presented by:
