Image Credit: Hockey Canada/Andy Devlin
May 17, 2015 - 8:50 AM
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, Man. - The Carleton Place Canadians are going back to the RBC Cup Final, as they scored a 3-2 double-overtime win over the Penticton Vees in Semi-Final action Saturday afternoon at the PCU Centre, in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
Adam Larson cleaned up a rebound at the side of the net 3:43 into the second overtime period, as the Canadians stunned the Vees and denied them of their second RBC Cup Final appearance in four years.
The Semi-Final didn’t disappoint, as the two teams went toe-to-toe for eighty-three minutes. Scoring chances were hard to come by as it was tough sledding at both ends of the rink, and Hunter Miska and Guillaume Therien combined to stop 74 of 77 shots over five periods.
After a scoreless first period, Tyson Jost opened the scoring early in the second on a delayed penalty. With Miska at the bench for the extra attacker, Connor Chartier had his shot stopped from the slot but Jost jammed the rebound in at 6:06; his third of the tournament.
The lead held up until late in the middle frame, as Carleton Place tied it up on a goal from their Captain. Stephen Baylis intercepted a pass at center ice, raced into the zone and fired a bullet over Miska’s glove at 17:55.
Neither side could break through in the third period, as both teams couldn’t generate a go-ahead goal on 21 combined shots.
In overtime both teams had chances, as Craig Pefley and Bryce Van Horn missed on rebound attempts around the Vees net.
The Vees’ best chance was during a controversial moment in the first OT period. Dakota Conroy’s shot off the rush leaked through Therien and trickled across the goal-line, but the goal was waved-off after the referee blew his whistle.
The Vees had two cracks at the power-play in the first overtime but couldn’t get a puck past on Therien.
The game-winner came early in the second overtime, after Ryker Killins had his shot stopped by Miska’s pad but the rebound squirted right to Larson, to setup the OT heroics.
Final Score: 3-2 (2OT) Carleton Place
Shots: 40-37 Carleton Place
Power-Plays: Vees 0-5 Carleton Place 0-4
The Penticton Vees finish the season with the Interior Division and BCHL regular season pennant, the Interior Division Championship, the BCHL Fred Page Cup Championship and Western Canada Cup Championship and a final four appearance at the RBC Cup.
Saturday was the Vees thirty-third playoff game and ninety-first game of the season, if you include the regular season.
The Vees would like to congratulate their graduating players on tremendous junior hockey careers. The organization would also like to thank their generous sponsors, Billets, volunteers and most importantly, their loyal fans for an unforgettable season. See you in September!
News from © iNFOnews, 2015