Game #14

Period Length

The first period was almost an exact copy of the morning game, as Riverview held a wide edge in shots - 13-3 in this case. Unlike the morning contest, it was the Ice Sharks that got on the board first in this one, thanks to a breakaway that came late in the period. With just under two and half minutes remaining the Riverview forward took off down the ice and snuck a shot in behind the Leto goaltender to grab the early 1-0 lead. Alas, the lead wasn't meant to last until intermission, as a bad play in the Riverview net resulted in a wrister from just inside the offensive blue-line clanged off the post and in, tying the game at a goal apiece. It is likely a save that should have been made, and the Riverview goalie knew it. Thankfully the Ice Sharks would be able to head into the first break giving up just the one goal.

The second period was once again dominated by Riverview, but it was Leto who got on the board first. A breakaway just two minutes in led to the puck finding it's way into the back of the net on the first shot of the period, giving the Falcons a 2-1 lead. Riverview would get the next seven shots on goal, including two shorthanded opportunities, but it was once again Leto that would find their puck in the net. The Leto goal in the first period wasn't a great one to give up, but this one was even worse. The early shot came from inside the Leto offensive blue line, but this one was from just inside the defensive blue line - a three-quarter length of the ice shot - that somehow had eyes for the goal. That would-be heartbreaking goal at the eight and a half minute mark gave the Leto squad a 3-1 lead in a game that had been absolutely dominated by the Ice Sharks. Thankfully they didn't hang their heads after giving up such a goal, as they answered back with two goals of their own within 30 seconds, scoring first on a wrister from the right side of the net with just over five minutes to play, making it a 3-2 game. The tying goal came at the 4:41 mark, on another wrist-shot, this one from between the circles. A Riverview unsportsmanlike penalty with 98 seconds left in the period opened the door for Leto to retake the lead, which they managed to do thanks to a juicy rebound that they were able to tip into the goal while grabbing a 4-3 lead with just 47 seconds remaining to be played in the second. Again, the Ice Sharks kept attacking, getting three shots on net before getting their own rebound tap-in goal with 23 seconds left to play. That would finally be the end of the scoring for the period, and the two teams would head into the final period tied at 4-4.

Riverview would once again control the offense for the majority of the period, and a Leto interference call lead to a sweet Ice Sharks goal. Drew got the primary assist thanks to a beauty of a pass that the Riverview attacker was able to tip into the net for their first power play goal of the game. The goal came with just over six minutes remaining would prove to be the game-winner, as the Ice Sharks held the Falcons off the board in the third, despite Leto having an extra attacker after pulling their goalie for the final 45 seconds of game time.

Despite the unfortunate goals against, a win is a win is a win, and the Ice Sharks will take it! Way to go Riverview, and happy birthday to Drew!