Regals grab series opener

Smallman scores power-play goal in overtime

The Western Wind pose with the Bantam AAA Division’s championship banner of the 11th annual Sweetheart female minor hockey tournament, hosted by the North River Minor Hockey Association recently. The Flames edged the Fundy Hurricanes 1-0 in the championship game. Members of the Wind are, lying on ice, from left: Tianna Gallant, Madison McHugh and Abby Hustler. Second row: Katie Snow, Allie McHugh, Kiera MacKendrick, Ally Hustler, Josee Gallant and Belle Ashley. Third row: Robbie Gallant (manager), Kyrsten Coyle, Gracie Hackett, Kylie Campbell, Emma Dyer, Hilarie Gaudet, Macy Hackett and Marley Gaudet. Back row: Steve Dyer (assistant coach), Paul Campbell (head coach) and Stephen Gaudet (assistant coach). Missing from photo is goaltender Emma Smallman. Jason Smallman provided the overtime heroics on Wednesday night.

Smallman, who also had three assists for a four-point night, scored on the power play with 4:05 remaining in the first overtime session to give the host Alberton Regals a 6-5 come-from-behind victory over the Tignish Aces.

It was the opening game of the best-of-five West Prince Senior Hockey League semifinal series. Game 2 is set for the Tignish Credit Union Arena on Sunday at 7:45 p.m.

The other series between the O’Leary Maroons and Wellington Flyers will begin at the O’Leary Community Sports Centre on Saturday night.

Close throughout

No team held more than a one-goal lead at any point in the contest, and Tignish went ahead for the first time, 5-4, at 11:05 of the third period. It made for an exciting game for the paid attendance of 450 spectators.

The Regals’ Taylor Smith, from Smallman and Jesse MacIntyre, netted the tying goal with 3:01 to play in regulation time to force the extra period. The power play turned out to be the difference as the Regals scored three times to the Aces’ two tallies while playing with the man advantage.

The Aces were assessed eight of the game’s 13 minors. Each team was assessed a fighting major and game misconduct. MacIntyre and Ned O’Brien assisted on Smallman’s gamewinner. Smallman’s brother, Logan led the Regals with a hat trick, and Fidan Feta also scored. Feta wouldn’t finish the game, though, as he and the Aces’ Dillon Arsenault were ejected for fighting early in the third.

Picking up assists for the Regals were Jesse MacIntyre (3), Cody Doucette (2), Ned O’Brien (2), Kirk Ramsay and Matt LeFurgey.

Offensively, the Aces were led by Jason Arsenault (2) and Jordan Knox (1-3). Traven Gaudet (1-1) and Ghislain Bernard also scored.

Tyson Arsenault (3), Dillon Arsenault and Mike O’Halloran earned assists.