Jeff Barton scores the game winner on a tough play. (MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar) Tri City Icehawks Lose Thriller in Home Opener -- Overtime 3-2
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The Tri City Icehawks held their home opening game Sunday against the Michigan Ice Dogs at the Bay County Civic Arena. And while many people were glued to their television sets for the opening games of the NFL, those who passed on watching the Lions were treated to an exciting hockey game. After Tri City built a 2-0 lead, the Ice Dogs forced overtime with a last second goal in the second period and a late third period goal. Then a pass from a sprawling Ice Dog found a teammate in front of the net for the game winning goal.
Tri City started fast and furious as the put good pressure on the Ice Dog netminder. But a tripping penalty against the Hawks turned the momentum allowing the Dogs to offensively get into the game. Strong goaltending by Alex Montagano kept the Ice Dogs off the scoreboard and the first period closed without a score.
The Icehawks opened the second period on the power play thanks to an Ice Dog slashing penalty at the end of the first period. Tri City held the puck in their zone well but was unable to get off a solid shot thanks to strong defensive play that kept challenging every Icehawk puck possession.
The Hawks opened up the scoring at the 9:55 mark while on a 5 on 3 power play. Justin Lacy took the puck at the blue line working it into Chase Dore behind the net. As Dore skated behind the net, Lacy slipped in the back door drawing the attention of the Ice Dog defense. Dore's pass across the crease was snagged by Ben Kitts who put it past goalie Alex Caruana for a 1-0 lead.
Home town player, Joe Pennicooke made it 2-0 at 15:07. With the Hawks putting pressure on the net, Pennicooke fired a shot that hit the back of the net and things were looking good for the home opener.
The Michigan Ice Dogs narrowed the margin with just 43 seconds left in the second period. After the Dogs put heavy pressure on Montagano, Jeffery Barton took the puck in the slot and found a hole pulling his team to within one going into the third period.
Play got a little chippie in the final period as both teams held a parade to the penalty box. Alex Montagano was very solid in the nets as the Dogs often looked to take advantage of being shorthanded and slipped a skater behind the defense for a scoring opportunity. Time and again Montagano stayed strong keeping his team out front. Then with 3 and a half minutes to play and shorthanded, Montagano made a save the got caught up in front of the crease. When nobody could clear it, Barton picked it up and skating to the side fired it past a stretched out goaltender for the tying goal.
The Ice Dogs looked to put the game away in the final minutes with back to back 3 on 1 and 2 on 1 breakaways but big saves kept it tied. Then with 6 seconds to go, the puck deflected in front of the net, was picked up and shot at what was thought to be an open net. But Montagano dove making the save sending the game into overtime.
Overtime is a five minute four on four sudden death period. Aggressive skating by both sides made it very exciting as both teams had their shots. Then Ice Dogs James Subu took the pass along the boards and headed into the zone. Defensemen Morgan James made a nice play to defend him checking Subu to the ice. But Subu swept the puck to the front of the net which was grabbed by Barton. Unchecked, Barton deked and slipped the puck past the goaltender for the game winner.
With the game going into overtime, the Icehawks pick up a point. The Icehawks return to action next Saturday night as they take on the Ft. Wayne Federals at 7:30 pm and finish off the Federals visit to Bay City with a Sunday noon game. Come watch the high flying action.
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John Keuvelaar |
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