Blues earn OT win at Chippawa
Shawn Krzykala stopped 41 shots and Mike Peters scored the winning goal in overtime as the Dundas Blues took game one of their second round playoff series with Chippawa 3-2, Tuesday night.
Blues general manager Steve Aglor said Krzykala played his best game of the season, coming up with some big saves. Aglor also credited the Blues defence - down to only four players by the end of Tuesday night's match - for solid play in their own end. Chippawa outshot Dundas 41 to 25, but Kryzkala kept the game tight and the Blues made the most of their 25 chances.
"It was a complete team effort with the players using up every ounce of energy they had to come up with the win," Aglor said.
The big road victory - against a team that dominated in their home arena during the regular season with 13 wins and just two losses - takes home ice advantage away from Chippawa. The Blues hope to capitalize on that as they head back to J.L. Grightmire Arena for Game Two, Saturday.
Dundas started strong against Chippawa, scoring twice in the first period to take a 2-0 lead into the second frame. Robert Bentivegna continued his strong playoff with a goal assisted by Dylan Gilbert and Derek Searle one minute into the action.
Gilbert found the net three minutes later on a powerplay, with assists from Andrew Clark and Jonathon Cox.
Chippawa scored single goals in the second period and third period to tie the game in regulation, and sent it into overtime.
The line of DJ McConnell, Mike Peters and Kevin Dowling continued an impressive post-season just a few minutes into overtime. as McConnell dumped the puck behind the Chippawa net and the opposing goalie left his post to play the puck, but Dowling got there at the same time. He stole the puck and sent it out front to Peters who made no mistake and scored the winner.
found the net on one of their eight Dundas shut down Chippawa's powerplay, holding them scoreless in 13 opportunities. Dundaspowerplay chances.
Game Two is set for Saturday, Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m in Dundas' Grightmire Arena.
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