Game #73- vs :impact:
The Impact came into this game 2 points behind the Falcons for second place in the East, so a lot was at stake between these two East teams. Montreal was coming off being handed a loss after a 9 game winning streak, so momentum was on their side going into the game. Lee Bowden got the start for Detroit, facing off against Earnest Ciarelli for Montreal.

First Period
After an early penalty taken by Alex Mack, Montreal sent out their powerplay for their first taste of action. The Impact barraged Bowden with shots until the puck found its way onto Chris Welch’s stick after a friendly bounce off of a shot block. Welch made no mistake burying it, scoring his 8th goal of the season. 5 minutes into the period, Adam Falk gets sent to the box for holding, giving a prime opportunity for the Falcons powerplay to spread its wings. The puck found its way back to the point, with Bastien Salabanzi feeding it to Brandon Girard who fired an absolute cannon that Ciarelli never had a chance on. With only 5 minutes remaining in the period, Michael Burch picked up the puck off of a missed Devon Mack shot, taking the puck down the ice and sniping it past Ciarelli for his sixth goal on the season.

END OF THE FIRST: 2, :impact: 1
SHOTS: 3 for , 5 for :impact:

Second Period
2 minutes into the first period, Sahne O’Ferghall iced the puck, leaving a tired group of guys out on the ice. Alex Mack wins the faceoff, and sends the puck right to Ray Pejonis, who fires a quick one right past Ciarelli. The rest of the period, both goalies stand tall and shut down any other scoring chances coming their way.

END OF THE SECOND: 3, :impact: 1
SHOTS: 6 for , 12 for :impact:

Third Period
9 minutes into the third period and with the Impact applying great pressure to the Falcons, hoping to tie it up, Evandrus Jesster wins a key faceoff in Detroit’s zone, finding an open Lord Pretty Flacko who scores the easy goal off of the perfect pass from Jesster. Montreal, now believing they can tie it, come out flying after the goal. Devon Mack wins the faceoff, and blazes into the Falcons offensive zone, using his great shot to sneak one by Bowden. With 2 goals in under 20 seconds the game is tied! After a tense 3rd period and overtime, the game heads to shootout.

Shootout
No one can score on any of the goaltenders as the shootout enters the 4th round still tied at 0-0. After a save by Ciarelli on Stonehands, Lord Pretty Flacko pulls of the classic Forsberg shootout goal, completely fooling Bowden and winning the game for his team!

FINAL SCORE: :impact: 4, 3.
TOTAL SHOTS: :impact: 32, 16.

3 Stars

1 - Devon Mack :impact:
2 - Ray Pejonis
3 - Michael Burch

Game #74: vs
The Whalers came into this game ranked last in the West, while Kelowna was ranked first. Vancouver was looking to turn around its woes this season and pick up a win, while Kelowna was looking to solidify their spot as the best team in the West, with the Firebirds right behind them battling for the first spot. Erik Lundqvist and Igor Ogorodnikov were the two starting goaltenders for each team.

FIRST PERIOD
After a very early penalty to Tom Berkis, the Whalers powerplay was sent out for their first try of the night. The Whalers barraged Ogorodnikov with shots, as the Knights were unable to clear. Finally, Patrikov Bure took a shot that beat the Knights goaltender as the Whalers took an early lead in the game. Only 2 minutes later, Jack Durden gets sent to the box for slashing. Determined to tie it, the Knights powerplay hit the ice, and only 6 seconds into the powerplay Stacker Pentecost scores to even the game at 1. Less than a minute later, Adam Abodobe scores to give the Knights the lead. Only a minute and a half later, Maria Maximova unloads an absolute bomb from the point, solidifying the Knights lead. A continual back and forward game happens for the rest of the period until the first period horn sounds.

END OF THE FIRST: 3, 1
SHOTS: 12, 8.

SECOND PERIOD
6 minutes into the second period, Stacker Pentecost adds another goal to the Knights lead, giving them a 3 goal edge. The Whalers try desperately to reduce the lead, but they cannot get anything past Ogorodnikov who was seeing the puck very well. The second period ends, as the Knights added another goal to their lead.

END OF THE SECOND: 4, 1
SHOTS: 9, 2.

THIRD PERIOD
3 minutes into the third period, the Whalers found themselves hemmed in their own end, as the Knights fired shot after shot, however no one was able to hit the net. Dr. Timeturner Whooves decided to put an end to this, as his shot goes right in the net to give the Knights an insurance marker. The domination of the Whalers by the Knights continues, as after a big hit by Ivan Koroviev, Hugh Johnson picked up the puck and fired one right by Lundqvist. This goal seemed to crush the Whalers spirit, as they didn’t put up much of a fight for the rest of the game.

FINAL SCORE: 6, 1
FINAL SHOTS: 40, 17

3 Stars
1 - Stacker Pentecost
2 - Hugh Johnson
3 - Adam Abodobe