NIPIGON – Friday night at the Nipigon Community Centre the Nipigon Elks entertained the new team in the league the Thunder Bay Screaming Eagles. The first time the Eagles and Elks met in October the Elks beat the visitors 10-2. With every game the Eagles have played they have improved immensely.
The night started off with Moriah Harvey singing O’Canada. Moriah sang while recovering from being under the weather. Thank you Moriah for coming out and doing a wonderful job. See you on November 19th.
The first period was all Eagles. The games first goal came off the stick of the Eagles Charlie Debungy. Goals by Reggie Meckanek, Travis Tom, and Kirk Meekis put the Eagles up 4-0. After the Kirk Meekis goal, Elks coach Greg Stein pulled goalie Ryan Williams at the 17:06 mark and put in Thomas Gratz. The first period would end the Eagles up 4-0. The visitors also out shot the Elks 19-16. The way Nipigon played in the first period it was almost assured they were going to get a mouth full from coach Greg Stein.
As the second period beginning it started with the hometown Elks putting lots of pressure on the Eagles. Nipigon was firing at will but couldn’t put the puck behind Eagles goalie Curtis Backer. While on the power play the Elks Cole Saunders scored at the 8:50 mark to finally get the Elks finally on the score board. With only one goal scored in the second period you could see the momentum shifting over towards Nipigon. After two periods of play the score was 4-1 for the surprising Eagles. The shot’s on goal were even at 33-33 after two periods.
The Elks came out on fire to start the third period. With only 47 seconds played the Elks Brodie Biasiol scored another power play goal to bring the Elks within two at 4-2. The Elks kept on putting on the pressure on the Eagles and it paid off. George Ossachuk scored to bring the Elks within one. A minute later assistant captain Ryan Begall scored for the Elks to tie the game at 4-4 and get the crowd crazy. After the tying goal by the Elks the teams couldn’t get another goal. The final score was 4-4. The great crowd in attendance wanted to see overtime. No overtime until the play offs.
Referee’s Don Gosselin and Tim Vaillant on called thirteen penalties in the whole game.
The Elks next home game is on Friday November 19th at 7:30pm. They will be playing against the Thunder Bay Junior “B” Stars.
Come out and watch great hockey.
