By Jeff D'Andrea

Upset falls short; Icehawks lose to Storm 3-2 OT

Nov 28, 2014 | 9:28 PM

Friday night’s contest against the 15-1 Traveland RV Storm would have been an upset win for the ages for the Prince Albert Icehawks—who came into the game as the last-ranked team in the Prairie Junior Hockey League’s North Division.

Despite playing a very solid game against their highly-ranked opposition, the ‘Hawks headed home imagining what could have been. They lost 3-2 in overtime after Storm forward Cohen Yano ended the game with 49.4 seconds left in the extra frame.

“It’s obviously disappointing not getting the two (points) but we’ll take the one point. Points are hard to come by for us here lately,” said Icehawks head coach Kim Dryka, who’s team lost four regulation games before Friday. “It’s not that we’re not playing a good game, but we just seem to fall apart at times that cost us.”

But even when there was a breakdown in the Icehawks’ zone, goaltender Tyler Gordon was there to bail them out. Gordon made 43 saves in the game to give the Icehawks an opportunity against the high-flying Storm.

“Gordon played well. We gave him the opportunity to step in there and he did what he had to do,” said Dryka. “The boys in front of him, (Gordon) had the shot and they tied their guys up in front.

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“Sure, they outshot us but Gordon made the first save or two, then our guys were there to clear the rebound.”

The Storm, who are based in Pilot Butte, were able to Gordon early as Riley Cannon scored just 1:19 into the game. The Storm wouldn’t score until the third period. That gave the Icehawks some time to get some goals of their own, and they got two in a spirit effort in the second period.

Icehawks forward Lucas Anseth would get P.A. on the board 1:22 into the second period. That seemed to set the tone for the rest of the second, as the Icehawks started to generate a lot more offence through the second frame. They eventually got a power play goal from defenceman Brandon Carlson to take a 2-1 lead into the third.

“We came out in the second and we started believing,” said Dryka. “It was only a 1-0 game against a top-team. We had a great second period and outscored them 2-0.

“Unfortunately we fell short, but it’s a big point.”

Logan Herchak would later solve Gordon midway through the third period to tie the game at 2-2, before Yano beat Gordon on the scramble in front for the 3-2 overtime win for the Storm.

The Storm came into Friday’s contest at the Kinsmen with a 14-1 record and the second best goal differential (+58) in the Prairie Junior Hockey League.

The Icehawks are on the road for their next two contests, Dec. 3 on Wednesday against the Saskatoon Quakers and Saturday against the Tri-Town Thunder. The Icehawks will then host the Thunder on Dec. 10 at the Kinsmen for their next home game.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea