Quote:Originally posted by mel24@Oct 18 2016, 12:22 PM
<div align="center">Halifax Raiders vs. Colorado Mammoths
3 at 4 (SO)

Starting Lineups
[b]Halifax
Pietra Volkova - Alex Reed - Jean-Luc Reflieux
Blake Battle - Colin Banning
Richard C. Hocolate

Colorado
Taro Eichelele - Martin Svensson - Frontdoor McGraw
Matthew Leetch - Maverick O'Dooley
Ekaterina Rudnikova

Game Link

With tough opening nights for both teams, the Mammoths and the Raiders were each looking for their first win as the season started to pick up pace. There was no doubt that both teams were desperate for success, and in such a tight game, fans saw the best of both the reigning Four Star cup champions and, quite possibly, the biggest underdog team in the SMJHL. Despite allowing the Raiders to score two goals in the first period, the Mammoths fought back in the second, and took this one home in a massive shootout for their first win of the year. The Raiders picked up a point, but they’re still winless turning the corner into the second week, despite their dominance of the playoffs.

First Period
The Raiders dominated the first period, taking eleven shots to the Mammoth’s six. Both goals were scored within a span of thirty seconds, however, coming at the middle of the period. Blake Battle scored a savage slapshot on the powerplay off a juicy rebound from Rudnikova, giving the Raiders an early lead while Frontdoor McGraw was off for roughing. The goal, assisted by Jean-Luc Reflieux and Greta Iversen, was Battle’s first of the season, scored at 9:41. Barely seconds later, at 10:08, Jean-Luc Reflieux hammered his own shot home off a faceoff in the Mammoth’s zone, sending it skittering past Rudnikova’s outstretched skate. Pietra Volkova and Colin Banning picked up the assists on Reflieux’s second of the year.


Battle’s first goal of the season on the power play

Second Period
After the first intermission, the Mammoths seemed to collect themselves more, and led the period in shots ten to eight. They also scored the first goal of the period only forty-one seconds in, as Maverick O’Dooley connected with Martin Svensson for Svensson’s second goal of the year. The Raiders fought back, digging the Mammoths back into a two-goal hole as Greta Iverson scored her first of the year, assisted by Kip O'Callahan and Solaire Azarov. However, the Mammoths weren’t extinct yet. Jack Dabkowski scored his first, with an assist from Tord Yvel, with seven minutes left in the second. Four minutes later, and only fifteen seconds after Solaire Azarov went off for roughing, Matthew Leetch completed the comeback by scoring his first of the year to tie the game, with assists from Maverick O'Dooley and Alex Koivu.


Matthew Leetch’s game-tying goal against Richard Hocolate

Third Period
The teams came out far more even in the third, with the Raiders barely holding the edge in shots - nine to eight. Both goalies were sharp, and despite two Raiders power plays, Rudnikova refused to let them through. Hockolate also looked good, shutting down the Mammoth’s offense as both teams looked for the game winner. As the clock ran down, the Mammoths found themselves man-down for the last few minutes of the third. However, the Raiders couldn’t finish on the powerplay, and this game headed to overtime.


Denis Lever hooks a Raiders player at 18:40 of the third period

Overtime
The five-minute overtime was incredibly defensive, with only one shot on net between the two teams. Rudnikova was sharp, however, and the five-minute overtime period passed without too much excitement, sending both teams into the shootout.

Shootout
In a seven-round shootout, the Mammoths and the Raiders saw the best out of both of their goaltenders. Rudnikova allowed only one goal, while Hocolate only saw two past him. However, Matthew Leetch was the hero in the shootout as well, finishing off a strong comeback for the Mammoths and giving them the 4-3 win. It was a hard-earned point for the Raiders, but they’re still looking for their first win, while the Mammoths try and ride this momentum into the rest of the season.


Matthew Leetch’s shootout winner

Stats Overview


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I love the fact that you gave two highlight reel goal gifs for my goals, but please, never remind me of that NYR V SJS game ever again :lol: . Literally THE WORST game I've ever seen the Rangers play in my lifetime. And you put the Caps scoring against Hank? Why are you so anti-Rangers?

Nah just kidding. Great job. Had fun reading it .