IROQUOIS FALLS – Dylan Sakatch’s third goal of the game, coming 2:03 into overtime, was the difference as the Cochrane Crunch rallied from an early deficit to edge the Abitibi Eskimos 5-4 Saturday night in Game 2 of their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League East Division semifinal at Jus Jordan Arena.
With the win, the Crunch now lead the best-of-seven match-up 2-0 heading into Game 3 Monday at the Tim Horton Event Centre in Cochrane. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
The Eskimos got off to a good start getting a power play marker from Brennan Roy and an even strength effort courtesy of Brenden Locke to go up 2-0 before the contest was 13 minutes old.
The visitors got on the board before the first was complete however as Josh Racek struck at 16:01.
Sakatch’s first of the evening early in the second tied it for the Crunch only to see Jake Holland put Abitibi back in front at 6:45.
Dustin Cordeiro’s fourth marker of the playoffs brought the visitors back level midway through the frame to knot the affair at 3-3 after 40 minutes.
Sakatch’s second four minutes into the third to give Cochrane their first lead of the night only to see the home side force OT when Locke added another with 4:49 remaining in regulation.
Early in overtime, Sakatch finished off his hat trick in spectacular style by beating Abitibi netminder Chet Tooker to give the Crunch the victory.
Jason Berube had three assists for the winners, including one on the game-winner while Cody Gratton chipped in with a pair of helpers.
Roy and Brady Clouthier set-up two apiece for the Eskimos.
Brett Young picked up the victory in net making 36 saves on the night with Tooker facing 40 shots in defeat for Abitibi.
