Bobcats pull even with Eskimos with game 2 win in OT
IROQUOIS FALLS – A Mike Gambino goal 3:28 into overtime propelled the Elliot Lake Bobcats to a 5-4 victory over the Abitibi Eskimos Saturday night in game 2 of their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League best-of-seven quarter-final at Jus Jordan Arena.
With the win the series is now tied at 1-1 heading into game 3 Thursday night at Centennial Arena in Elliot Lake starting at 7:30 p.m.
Each side would score once in the opening period with Brett Wagner getting the Bobcats going at 4:35 only to see Landon Hiebert tie it for the Eskimos in the latter stages of the stanza.
Elliot Lake notched the only two goals of the middle session to go up 3-1 after 40 minutes on tallies by Bryan McFarlane and Wagner.
Abitibi stormed back in the third connecting three times in succession to go up 4-3 on a pair of markers by Ryan Tront and a solo effort from Erik Robichaud.
The Bobcats would force OT in the final minute as Dustin Cordeiro scored with 40 seconds remaining in regulation.
In the extra session Elliot Lake carried the play early and Gambino’s shot from the right circle eluded Brody Wagner in the Eskimos net to allow the visitors level the series at a win apiece.
Alex Bitsakis made 31 saves to record the victory for the Bobcats with Wagner facing 45 attempts in the setback for Abitibi.
At the conclusion of the game as the Bobcats celebrated their victory a number of scuffles broke out with multiple fighting major and game misconducts doled to both sides out by the officials.
SERIES D
No. 4 Abitibi Eskimos vs. No. 5 Elliot Lake Bobcats
Best-of-seven series tied 1-1
Game 1: Abitibi 2 Elliot Lake 1
Game 2: Elliot Lake 5 Abitibi 4 (OT)
Game 3: March 20 @ Elliot Lake 7:30 p.m.
Game 4: March 21 @ Elliot Lake 7:30 p.m.
Game 5: March 23 @ Abitibi 7:30 p.m.
Game 6*: March 24 @ Elliot Lake 7:30 p.m.
Game 7*: March 26 @ Abitibi 7:30 p.m.
*-if necessary
