After seven games, 50-plus goals and countless momentum shifts, it all came down to a single play.
Notre Dame Hounds winger Carter Hikichi, not known for his scoring prowess, was fed the puck. At 4:42 of overtime Tuesday night, he beat Flin Flon Bombers goalie Simon Hofley.
The faithful at the Duncan McNeill Arena roared their approval as the 3-2 win let the Hounds advance to the semi-finals. Back in Flin Flon, fans were left to lament yet another early Bomber playoff exit.
That the series was decided in such dramatic fashion was unsurprising. This was a match-up of two equally talented teams, both eager to put past disappointments behind them and prove to fans, and to the hockey world, that they are the real deal.
Heading into Tuesday's action, Notre Dame had captured all odd-numbered games in the series: Game 1 (6-3), Game 3 (3-2) and Game 5 (6-3). Flin Flon had been on top in the even-numbered match-ups: Game 2 (6-5 in OT), Game 4 (4-1) and Game 6 (7-1).
On Tuesday, the Hounds opened the scoring on the power play with Jared Martin (Austin Lightfoot, Hikichi) lighting the lamp as Flin Flon blueliner Curtis Roach served a tripping penalty. The goal came at 11:34 of the first period.
Brett Boehm (Deal Allison) answered for the Bombers at 14:59 of the same period. It was the fourth goal of the series for Boehm, an offensive powerhouse for Flin Flon.
Austin Evans (Tyler Bell, Alex Smith) put Flin Flon up 2-1 at 19:11 of the opening frame. That score held until 13:08 of the second period, when Dion Antisin (Cory Anderson, Andrew Cummings) evened things up at 2-2.
The Bombers had several chances to regain the lead but were unable to solve Notre Dame netminder Alexi Thibaudeau. In the third period, Flin Flon failed to capitalize on a four-minute power play after Hounds defenceman Spencer Trapp's high-stick drew blood on Kristian St. Onge.
Bombers coach Mike Reagan took a timeout with fewer than 10 minutes left in the third period. While the break gave some tired legs a rest, it failed to spur the late offensive push Flin Flon had hoped for.
Fans in Wilcox were still settling in for what promised to be a lengthy extra frame when Hikichi (Martin, Sam Aulie) suddenly ended the series at 4:42 of OT.
Few could fault Bombers netminder Simon Hofley for the goal. Indeed Hofley was strong between the pipes all night after winning a game of musical chairs with Adam Beukeboom to earn the start.
When all was said and done, the Hounds had outshot the Bombers 36-30. That included five shots in overtime compared to just two for Flin Flon.
The Hounds will now meet the Kindersley Klippers in the semi-finals. Game 1 will be in Kindersley this weekend, though the date had yet to be confirmed. In the SJHL's other semi-final series, the Melfort Mustangs will square off against the Nipawin Hawks.
Pick up The Reminder's Wednesday and Friday print editions for more in-depth coverage of the Bombers' playoff run, including comments from Reagan.
