Lakefield Herald Special Report

Chiefs take opener in overtime

by Jim Carson

It took the Lakefield Chiefs 40 minutes to get on track in the first game of the OHA quarter finals series, but when they did they mounted a three goal deficit comeback to force overtime against the Picton Pirates of the Empire League and then scored with four minutes left in the extra frame to take the first game 5-4.

Picton looked in complete control leading 2-1 after the first period and 4-1 after the second, until Lakefield caught fire in the last eight minutes of the third period.

With the score 4-1, Nathan Larson scored his second of three goals to pull the Chiefs within two and on the power play. Fifteen seconds later Travis Brault narrowed the margin to 4-3.

Again on the power play with 3:40 left in the game, Larson tied the game on a pass from Curtis Bolton.

The Chiefs thought they had the game won when they found the back of the Pirates net but the referee disallowed the goal saying time had expired on the clock.

In overtime, Lakefield outshot Picton 9-3 before Derek Manley fought off two men to rip a wrist shot from the slot fifteen minutes and fifty one seconds into sudden death. The Chiefs scored three power play goals with Picton scoring once with the man advantage.

Erin Greer scored twice for Picton with Rob Sizer and Bob Bunnett notching singles. Travis Brault also had two assists as did Curtis Bolton for Lakefield.

Jesse Gregory, Eric Oosting, Connor Blair and Riley Campbell also had assists for the Chiefs who were outshot 10-8 in the first period and 14-11 in the second frame.

The Chiefs outshot Picton 11-3 in the third and 9-3 in the overtime period.

Zac Wainman got the win in goal and Nathan Larson with his hat trick was named the Flannigan’s Butcher Shop Player of the game for Lakefield.

The Chiefs travel to Picton Thursday, March 21 with game three in Lakefield Sunday, March 24 at 4 p.m.

Game four is back in Picton on Tuesday, March 26 and game five in Lakefield Thursday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Game six is back in Picton on Saturday, March 30 and if game seven is necessary it will be played in Lakefield on Monday, April 1 at 7:30.

Assistant Coach Tim Keating felt the Chiefs might have been a little nervous to start the series.

“We looked hesitant going after loose pucks early in the game and gave them just too much room through centre ice. They are a fast team and we have to take that area away from them. Although we were behind 4-1 we did miss some great chances early in the game,” said Keating.

All games in Picton are set for 7:30 p.m.

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