Dec 11, 2023 | Winterhawks News | 694 views
Winterhawks Drop OT Decision in Creemore
It was a battle to the end as advertised as the Saugeen Shores Winterhawks and Creemore Coyotes faced off Saturday night in Creemore.
The two clubs entered play within a point of each other in the Ontario Elite Hockey League standings and it was no surprise the contest needed overtime to decide.
Creemore scored with 23-seconds remaining in overtime to take a tight-checking 3-2 final score.
Both clubs battled evenly through the first 15 minutes, until Creemore got on the board with a power play goal.
The score remained that way until the Winterhawks returned the volley midway through the 2nd period when Mike Fiegehen evened the score with a power play goal of his own. Medric Mercier assisted on the marker to make it 1-1.
Fireworks ensued at the conclusion of the second period that saw both starting goalies ejected from the game.
A scrum in the neutral zone at the buzzer brought both teams together.
Winterhawks starter Clayton Fritsch was engaged in friendly dialogue with the Creemore bench as he headed toward the Winterhawks dressing room.
He was met with a shoulder as he passed by Creemore goalie Mason Kameka.
Fritsch took exception and the goalie fight was on, with the big Winterhawks goalie taking a decisive decision on the judges scorecards.
Both goalies were ejected and Jeff Flagler took over in the Winterhawks net the rest of the way.
Their goalie’s spirited bout must have fired up the Winterhawks skaters, because Justin Donnelly put them ahead 2-1 early in the third period, with assists to Matt Shields and Andy Mitchell.
Creemore managed to tie the game with just over two minutes remaining in regulation on a deflection in front, sending the game to its conclusion in the extra frame.
The Winterhawks picked up a point with the overtime loss, now sitting at 8-4-1, in a three-way tie for second place with Creemore and the Minto 81’s.
The road trip is shorter next weekend for the Winterhawks, but the stakes remain high.
They’ll travel to Ripley on Saturday night, December 16th, to face the first place Ripley Wolves at 7:00 p.m.