It was a game that kept fans on the edges of their seats as the Westlock Warriors took until the last half minute of overtime to defeat the Eckville Eagles 6-5.
The Nov. 3 overtime win at the Rotary Spirit Centre brings the Warriors’ North Central Senior Hockey League season record to 4-1, just a point shy of the Eagles for third place in the league and three points behind the league-leading Morinville Kings.
“It was a little tighter than it should have been probably, but a win is a win. I think we kind of let it slip away from us in the second and third, but we kept battling back,” said team captain and coach Mike Ivey after the game.
Eckville opened the scoring in the first, but the Warriors responded with a goal from Ivey to tie it up before heading into the second period.
The Warriors came out strong in the second, with Jake Chizma and David Carr delivering goals to push the lead for the home team up to two.
Eckville answered back with one of their own and the Warriors responded with an unassisted goal from Brady Ducharme to make it 4-2.
The Eagles were able to pull within one before the close of the second and came out flying in the third taking a 5-4 lead a couple minutes into the last frame.
The Warriors put 46 shots on the net throughout the game and had a number of opportunities to put the game away in the second, but the Eckville goalie robbed them numerous times.
“They’re a good hockey team and their goalie was phenomenal. He was fantastic and he stole quite a few from us” said Ivey.
Warriors goaltender Jordan Brand faced 31 shots and had several big saves to keep his team in the game, namely a penalty shot in the second and several near goals during an overtime penalty kill.
Taylor Heck managed to tie the game at five halfway through the third and Brand did his job to take his team into overtime.
Overtime opened with a goaltender interference call on the Warriors, but they managed to kill it off before Dallas Ansell scored the power play winner with less than half a minute to go.
“We’re gelling well, our chemistry is really good right now and the guys are fighting for each other, so it’s going well that way,” said Ivey.
Next up for the Warriors are the 2-4 Bonnyville Pontiacs who make the trip to the Spirit Centre Nov. 10 in a game that is being sponsored by Servus Credit Union with free admission for all.
“Bring out your friends and everyone gets in for free,” said Ivey.
