Second Overtime Win Gives Grimsby 3-2 Series Lead


Grimsby Peach Kings took a three games to two lead in the best-of-seven Niagara District East Division Final series with a 2-1 overtime win, Friday night.

Scoring opened halfway through the first period, as Grimsby took a 1-0 lead in their home arena on a powerplay.

After a scoreless second period, Dundas tied the game in the third frame. Kevin Dowling scored the goal, assisted by Dustin Dzaman and Jonathon Cox.

Seven and a half minutes into overtime, Grimsby found the net to take the win.

"We deserved to win the game tonight," Blues assistant coach Steve Aglor said. "We outplayed them huge in the second and third periods but couldn't finish."

He described Grimsby's overtime winning goal as a "fluke", and attributed the Blues' tough first period, in which they were outshot 17-5 by the Peach Kings, to penalty trouble.

"We played a great game. The players couldn't have done any more, especially in the second and third," Aglor said.

Grimsby outshot Dundas 40 to 34. After the one-sided opening frame, the Blues had 12 shots and the Peach Kings 13 shots in the scoreless second period. Dundas poured it on in the third period, outshooting Grimsby 15-5, but only found the net once. Grimsby had five shots in overtime, Dundas two.

Of note, there were no penalties issued to either team in the third period or overtime. Overall, Grimsby was one for nine on the powerplay and Dundas was zero for seven.

The series returns to Dundas Monday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m, with Grimsby needing one win to clinch the division title, and Dundas needing two straight wins to clinch. Dundas must win at home Monday to force a seventh and deciding game back in Grimsby Wednesday.

But Aglor remains confident in his players.

"We'll do it the hard way," he said.

Grimsby has won two overtime games at home. The Blues have won both games in Dundas by scores of 4-2. Grimsby rode some questionable officiating and 20 powerplays to an 8-2 win last Friday.