Mar 04, 2025 | Winterhawks News | 166 views
Game 2 Gets Away
55 minutes of solid hockey came undone in 35 seconds.
The Saugeen Shores Winterhawks had a lead for the majority of Game 2 of their Ontario Elite Hockey League semi-final series against the Ripley Wolves, but not when the final buzzer sounded.
The Winterhawks dropped a heartbreaking 4-3 decision on Sunday to Ripley, who scored twice late in the 3rd period, 35-seconds apart, to take the victory.
A huge crowd of more than 1,000 fans packed The Plex, treated first to Emmy Award winner Stevie Vallance, who performed O Canada prior to the puck drop.
The Winterhawks used the big home crowd early on to carry the play, generating chances early on, but the goals didn't go in right away.
It wasn't until late in the period when Brent MacDermid, three days shy of his 45th birthday, got in on Hamilton and deked him out at 16:33 to give the Winterhawks a 1-0 lead after one period.
A recurring theme of the season reared its ugly head again, as for the third time in the series, the Winterhawks gave up a goal in the opening minute of a period, with Ripley tying the game 46-seconds into the middle frame.
Cam Lightfoot restored the Winterhawks lead at 7:08 when Luke Pither carried the puck into the Ripley zone, outwaited the Wolves defenders and slid the puck over to Lightfoot for the goal.
Miles MacLean added to the lead on the power play at 14:16 when Pither cut in from the point and found MacLean heading to the net for the one-timer goal, giving the Winterhawks a 3-1 lead.
A Ripley power play followed and they were able to cut the lead to 3-2 by the end of the second period.
Clinging to a one-goal lead in the third, Winterhawks goalie Clayton Fritsch was called upon to make several big saves to keep it a one-goal lead for most of the third.
Ripley got the equalizer at 14:44 of the third, then went ahead 35-seconds later on an unassisted goal to give the Wolves a 4-3 lead.
Moments later, it appeared the Winterhawks would have ample power play time to tie the game when 'Hawks defender Caleb Morrison was struck by a high stick just inside the Winterhawks zone.
Morrison was badly cut, and the game was delayed several minutes to clean up the ice. Unfortunately, none of the four officials called a penalty, and the play resumed at even strength.
The Winterhawks were the beneficiaries of a make-up call, but it came much later, receiving a short power play to try and get the equalizer with the goalie pulled for the extra attacker.
Chances were there, but the puck just didn't find the back of the net, as the Wolves dove in front of shots to hold the lead to the final buzzer.
Ripley now leads the best-of-seven series 2-0, with Game 3 this Friday night in Ripley at 8:30 p.m.
Game 4 will be at The Plex on Saturday March 8th, at 7:30 p.m.
50-50 Draw
Winning Ticket: [White] 02188476
Draw Amount: $1,064
Winner: Glen Meuser
Charity: Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation