Ramblers win in overtime
Amherst defeats Western Capitals to send teams back to Summerside tied 2-2
A youngster and a veteran teamed up on the winning goal in overtime for the Amherst Ramblers against the Summerside D. Alex Macdonald Ford Western Capitals on April 8.
Seventeen-year-old rookie Anthony Gaudet won an offensive-zone faceoff back to 20-year-old forward Drew Macintyre, who moved off the boards on the left wing to his right and let go a shot close to the top of the faceoff circle that cleanly beat Caps goaltender Drew Sim high on the blocker side.
The game-winning goal, which came 6:42 into overtime, lifted the Ramblers to a 4-3 victory over the Caps and tied the best-of-seven Eastlink South Division final series 2-2.
NEXT GAME
The home team has won the first four games of the series, a trend the Capitals will look to continue in Game 5 at the Island Petroleum Energy Centre on April 10 at 7 p.m.
After Game 3 drew over 2,300 fans on April 6, a big crowd is expected, and fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance or online at the Credit Union Place box office.
The Ramblers’ win guarantees a Game 6 in Amherst, N.S., on April 12 at 7:30 p.m.
CLOSE THROUGHOUT
Before 1,820 fans at Amherst Stadium, both teams had abbreviated power-play opportunities early in overtime but could not capitalize.
The Ramblers led 1-0 after the first period on a goal by Christian Reardon (1-1).
After Robbie Rutledge tied the game on a power play for the Caps 1:29 into the second period, Macintyre (13:10) and Mark Corbett (15:52) struck for two quick goals to give Amherst a 3-1 lead.
Brennan Murphy (17:27) made it 3-2 before the second intermission, and Dominik Godin scored 1:19 into the
third period to tie the game 3-3.
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
The Caps carried the play in the third period, outshooting the Ramblers 24-15, but could not get the go-ahead goal past Amherst rookie goaltender Lyam Leblanc.
Overall, the Caps held a 53-45 shots-on-goal advantage. In the first four games, the Caps have outshot the Ramblers 188-133 and outscored Amherst 19-13, but the series is now a best-of-three.
Leblanc stopped 100 of 103 shots in Games 2 and 4 in Amherst. On the flip side, the Caps won Games 1 and 3 in Summerside by identical 8-2 scores.
Jonah Jelley (2) of Stanley Bridge, P.E.I., Gaudet, Goran Stobo and Joachim Matulu added assists for the Ramblers.
William Irvine, Trent Crane and Blake Eastman added helpers for the Capitals.
Each team went 1-for-5 on the power play. Referees Corey Hayne and Jason Blanchard called six minor penalties against each team.
The game’s three stars were: 1. Drew Macintyre (Ramblers); 2. Lyam Leblanc (Ramblers); 3. Drew Sim (Capitals).
SUSPENSIONS
The MHL assessed the Capitals two suspensions on April 8 from an 8-2 win in Game 3 in Summerside on April 6.
Rookie forward Ryan Harper received a five-game suspension after receiving a match penalty for slewfooting another player at the Amherst blue-line with 15 seconds remaining in regulation time.
Caps forward Nolan Stewart will miss three games after picking up a major penalty for a blow to the head with 3:12 remaining in the third period.
Harper and Stewart began serving their suspensions in Game 4.