Chiefs eager for Game 7 after OT letdown
Lakefield has won two of the three games played in Stayner
It all comes down to Game 7 for the Lakefield Chiefs and Stayner Siskins.
The Siskins forced a seventh and deciding game in their PJHL Schmalz Cup semifinal by beating Lakefield 4-3 in overtime on Tuesday night at the LakefieldSmith Community Centre. Game 7 is 8:10 p.m. Thursday in Stayner. The winner advances to face the Glanbrook Rangers in the final.
The Chiefs were one shot away from wrapping up the series on home ice in a classic nail-biter playoff type battle. Instead, Curtis Ballantyne’s goal 6:17 into overtime staved off elimination for Stayner who won the first two games of the series.
Matt McIntyre’s power play goal 14:53 into the second period tied the game 3-3 before the clubs settled into more than 30 minutes of scoreless hockey dominated by goalies Michael Christie and Stayner’s Marcus Semiao who combined for 93 saves. Lakefield poured 54 shots on goal and Stayner 46.
Braeden Kublick gave the Chiefs a 1-0 lead with the lone goal of the first period. Cole Robbins had a goal and assist for the Chiefs while Karn Dart and Zac Treen also added assists.
Ty Kulba and Jarrett Baker scored in the opening 5:04 of the second period to put Stayner up 2-1. After Robbins tied it at 6:45, Kevin Boyd restored Stayner’s one-goal lead 1:10 later.
“It was a typical playoff style game and atmosphere,” said Chiefs head coach Jamie Arcand.
“There were good chances at both ends of the ice and both goalies were fantastic. Both teams knew what they needed to do to get the job done.
“We felt like we had lots of chances to put that game away, especially late when we had a couple of power play opportunities and a couple of breakaways in overtime.
“It’s a game of inches and unfortunately we were on the shortend of those inches.”
So, they’ll head out on the road where the Chiefs have won two out of three in Stayner.
“Obviously, we would have loved to have won it on home ice in front of our fans and our friends,” Arcand said.
“We had a lot of support there and a lot of alumni there. It was a neat atmosphere but we’ve won up there and we’re now comfortable on that ice up there. We’ve had some success up there.”
These are the moments every hockey player lives for, hesaid.
“This is what it’s all about. These are the moments, as a player, where you have to bring it. I just wish it was Thursday already so we could get this thing going.”
NOTES: The Chiefs lost defenceman Jordan MacLean to a broken foot in Game 5 after he blocked a shot. Chiefs coach Jamie Arcand said MacLean is likely done for the rest of the playoffs.