By Jeff D'Andrea

Ice Hawks winner a thriller over Quakers, 5-4 in overtime

Jan 4, 2012 | 11:07 PM

The Prince Albert Ice Hawks’ newcomer, Lucas Seesequasis scored with just four seconds left in overtime for a thrilling 5-4 win over the Saskatoon Quakers Wednesday at the Kinsmen, but it was a wonder why the game even got that far.

The Ice Hawks were all over the Quakers, leading 4-0 after the first period and dominated just about every aspect of the game. But the Quakers scored three in the second period and outshot the Ice Hawks 26-5 in the second frame, and scored the lone goal in the third to tie it at 4-4.

Although he’d like to forget the second period entirely, Ice Hawks head coach Trevor Gunville is proud of his team being able to still register the win.

“We’ve had a lot of close games this year, we’ve lost a lot of close ones that we felt we should have won,” said Gunville. “This is one that looked like it might slip away from us, but the guys bared down and showed some character and battled through it.

“It’s a good lesson for us and it’s a good way to keep us motivated.”

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Just seconds away from having to settle with a tie, Seesequasis scored his third goal of the game, as he tucked home a beautiful saucer pass from teammate Brandon Juravinksi.

Seesequasis has been a welcome addition to the Ice Hawks, who received him in a trade with the Ochapowace Thunder on Dec. 16. In three games with the Ice Hawks, he now has four goals, and 14 points in 20 games between the two clubs.

“Lucas has played real well since we got him from the trade with Ochapowace,” said Gunville. “It was a beautiful pass by Brandon Juravinski and Lucas was able to pick it up and put it behind the goalie (Lukas McDonald).

In the first period, the Ice Hawks two goals each from Seesequasis and a pair from centre Dane Madsen, who scored the team’s fourth goal after a pretty deke move right after an offensive zone faceoff.

They were winning in the shot clock 19-11 and everything looked good in the opening 20 minutes, not just the scoreboard.

“We came ready to play tonight in the first period, and we just put pucks to the net and we worked hard and we stayed in our systems,” said Gunville. “We forechecked well, we generated some cycling down low and we were able to get some scoring opportunities and pull ahead that way.”

But in the second, the Quakers stormed back, getting a goal from Mike Herperger 13 minutes in, then back-to-back markers at 18 minute mark from Andrew Cribbs and Chris Sokalofsky to give the Quakers some life.

“We totally quit working,” said Gunville of his team’s lack of effort in the second. “We laid back a little bit and the Quakers are a good team, they come at you all the time. They’re pretty offensive and we were laid back on our heels a bit, maybe sitting on that lead a little bit.

“They put a lot of put a lot of pucks on the net and we just couldn’t answer.”

Jesse Klus scored the lone goal in the third from the Quakers, a snipe from the high slot to tie the game in regulation.

Ice Hawks goaltender Kelly Delorme made 37 saves for his second win of the season. Quakers tender Blair Miskolczki was pulled after the first period, surrendering four goals. Lukas McDonald game in to start the second, surrendering just one goal on 19 shots.

The Ice Hawks will play the Cypress Cyclones for their next game on the road Saturday.

Win the Ice Hawks Spring Lottery

On Wednesday, the Ice Hawks announced they are launching their first ever major lottery, the Spring Lottery which will help raise money to cover the operating costs of the team.

By purchasing tickets through the team, contestants will get a chance to the grand prize, a Lund fishing boat worth $13,000, sponsored by Rally Motor Sports, and other prizes as well.

The grand prize will be drawn May 18th at Rally Motor Sports.

jdandrea@panow.com