Mar 09, 2019 | Jason Richardson | 658 views
VanBakel Gets OT Winner!!
The Thompsons Ltd. Mitchell Meteor Atom AE team faced off against the Wingham Ironmen for the last scheduled game in Group A of Neilson WOAA action. Going into the game both Mitchell and Wingham had 8 points, tied for the top spot. The boys knew that it was a win or go home situation. The entire game was full of excitement with plenty of end to end action, with the Meteors coming out with a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory!!
The boys wanted to come out flying in the first period to send a solid message to the Ironmen. They succeeded as it was only 58 seconds into the game when Griffin Bree would tap in a rebound to put Mitchell on the board quickly. Assists went to Jake Richardson and Zack Siemon-Hergott with strong play around the net. A few short minutes later Wingham would answer with a goal of their own to tie the game at 1 heading into the second period.
The second period would see Wingham continually trying to use their speed to break out, only to be stopped by some stellar defense. It would be Carson Brown that would battle and be able to stuff in a goal early in period giving the locals back their one goal lead. Wingham would answer back to again tie it up. Some penalty trouble for Mitchell gave the Ironmen a 2 man advantage for what seemed like forever. The local boys dropped back and were able to clear the puck many times, protecting Sebastian Voros in net, and keeping the game tied after two periods.
The third period was back and forth and Voros was able to close the door several times before a long hard shot from just inside the zone slipped past him, giving the Ironmen the lead. After we missed the net a few times and even fanned on the puck, things were getting tense. Time was going down much faster on the clock all of sudden, as the game (and possibly the season) was coming to an end. With under two minutes left, Mitchell pulled the goalie for the extra attacker. The message was clear, go after the puck and go to the net. And that is exactly what Mitchell did. The boys were able to keep the puck deep in Winghams end and with only 9 SECONDS left in regulation, from a very sharp angle, Hudson Porter tied it up!
HEADING TO OVERTIME...
The boys were energized and the momentum was back in Mitchells favor. Both teams had some good chances keeping the fans on the edge of their seats. It would be Landon VanBakel who battled off two Wingham players and somehow got the puck back on his stick down low. He blasted a beauty wrist shot far side to give Mitchell the win!
The Meteors now will move on to play the winner of Group B for the Neilson Division crown.