The Mitchell Hawks were behind the eight ball even before the opening face-off on Sunday in Stayner but showed some grit and came out with a 3-2 overtime win.
Several players were scratched from the line-up for Game 2 of the playoff series due to illness, injury and suspension.
Malcolm Mcleod, Carter Lewis, Sean Chisolm, and Ryan Murray were scratches. And Seth Huygen was serving the first game of a three game suspension because of a head contact penalty in Game 1. The suspension is a cumulative one.
That left some spots to fill. Mitchell did so by dressing AP's Talbot Geiger and Conner Lockhart at forward and defenceman Zach McCann.
Geiger's entry in the line-up paid off 1:26 into the first period as he scored the opening goal. Stayner would tie it midway through the first period.
Mitchell would then score early in the second period courtesy of Mark Cassidy. Stayner would again tie the game a couple of minutes later.
Things got shaky for Mitchell in the third period after forward Nolan Gagnier was hit knee-on-knee in the neutral zone and had to be helped off the ice. Mitchell was not able to score on the ensuing 5 minute major power play.
Then with just eight minutes left in the third period, Tyson Hall picked up a slashing penalty and he was ejected for his third stick infraction of the game.
With an even shorter bench, Mitchell was able to hold on until overtime.
Stayner almost got the win after Tyler Parr went to play the puck behind the Mitchell net but a miscommunication allowed the puck to be tossed out in front. With a wide open net, the Siskins had an opportunity. But just before the shot was taken, a quick stick by Braeden Burdett on the backcheck negated that opportunity.
Seconds later, Burdett raced up the ice and popped the water bottle on the glove side for the OT winner.
The team didn't stick around to celebrate but went straight off the ice with the 3-2 win.
With the series now tied at one, Mitchell hosts Game 3 Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and CKNX AM 920 will have the call.
Here’s your OT winner from Burd is the word!! What a game for Midget call up Talbot Geiger! See everyone for Game 3 in Mitchell Thursday night 7:30pm puck drop pic.twitter.com/LiBwkNUX4W
— Mitchell Hawks (@MitchellHawks) April 24, 2022
