Excelsiors
Up Against The Ropes
Aug26/07
The Excelsiors traveled to Peterborough yet again,
in what is now a best of three series. Brampton
had never lost a game in Memorial Arena this year
until tonight. It marks the first time that the
home team has won a game this series as well as
the first time that the Excels have fallen behind
in the series.
The Lakers came
out flying once again. Dan Carey scored four minutes
into the game, and Scott Evans added a powerplay
marker just over a minute later. The remainder of
the period saw stellar defensive work from the Excels
and netminder Cosmo, but they were unable to put
a single ball past O’Toole.
Less than two minutes
into the second frame and the Lakers caught the
Excels in a bad transition which saw Cory Vitarelli
add to their lead. Brampton finally put one in,
courtesy of Jeff Shattler, only to have Peterborough
answer right back when Ryan Sharpe scored on a two
on one break. Shattler added his second of the night
to close the gap once again nine minutes in. With
less than eight minutes to go in the period, Scott
Evans would score his second of the night to regain
the three point lead for the Lakers which is how
the second period ended.
The third didn’t
start any better for the Excelsiors. Dan Carey scored
his second of the night four minutes in and Jason
Crosbie scored a minute and a half later to open
up a five goal lead. Trying to change things up,
coach Cordingley switched up his goalies. It had
appeared to work, as Aaron Wilson bounced one in
at the eight minute mark, but the Brampton offense
just didn’t seem to have it in them this night.
Dan Teat scored on the powerplay with just over
minutes to go in the game to narrow the gap to three,
but that would be the last goal for the Excels on
this night. Peterborough would add two empty netters
to seal the deal.
Coquitlam is awaiting
the winner of this series, and the Excelsiors now
need to win to stay alive in the hunt for the Mann
Cup. The last home game is Monday August 27th at
the Powerade Centre at 8:00, and if they can rebound
with a win at home, they will get a shot at redemption
in Peterborough on Wednesday night. This series
has already proven to be memorable and you never
know what is going to happen on any given night…
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