Huge Comeback for Timbermen

Game one of Sundays double header saw the Stickmen take on Nanaimo. Both teams coming off losses to the Shamrocks just a couple of days earlier.

Both teams started the first frame playing a safe game, no risks, easy shots, etc... After about 10 minutes and a couple of penalties to liven the game up, Surrey captain James Cruickshank fed Matt Hannah for a short handed goal.

The game livened up for the Stickmen after that, there was some pushing and shoving after the goal- Nanaimo frustrated they couldn’t capitalize with the man advantage.

Graham Weidenhammer added to the frustration by putting in a beauty unassisted goal, which led to Russell Thomas and Matt Rinas both getting slashing calls for Nanaimo.

Matt Hannah put in another short handed goal to end the period 3-0 for the Stickmen.

Surrey started the second like they ended the first; aggravating the Timbermen and Hannah scoring another goal, this time on the power play. The refs got most of the workout in this period, separating all the shoving going on after the whistles.

After a barrage of cross checking, high sticking, back checking, and fighting penalties- the real game was coming out. Brandon Smith was having a great night in net for the Stickmen, making saves from impossible angles.

Jonathon Diplock was tired of being shut out for half the game, and finally got the Timbermen on the board.

Unfortunately Nanaimo couldn’t stay out of the penalty box and surprise surprise- Matt Hannah chalked up another power play goal with a couple of minutes to go in the period.

Surrey’s special teams were huge in this game; even after a questionable delay of game penalty, Dane Eitel set up Richard Wilmott for a short handed goal.

Surrey’s run ended right there. The Timbermen’s frustration hit its peak, and Ryan Clark threw down an unbelievable goal, deaking out two Stickmen and scoring on the backhand.

From then it was a chain reaction. Kyle Bazansky scored on the power play and at even strength; and Ryan Clark put in another one with five minutes to go.

Surrey took an awful penalty when Ross Halliday back checked Jonathon Diplock right into the boards with four seconds to go in the period.

This was definitely the most intense four seconds of any game I’ve ever seen. Nanaimo’s mad and Surrey’s choked--great combination.

Ryan Clark made the Stickmen pay at 19:59 with a great feed from Matt Wray.

Off to overtime…

Nanaimo was on the power play for half of the OT period thanks to Halliday's back check penalty. After taking another bad holding penalty, Kyle Bazansky scored on the power play with two and a half minutes to go.

That would be your game winner; Nanaimo with a massive comeback in the third, and I’m guessing one of the better ferry rides home this season!