Some are calling it a classic, some are calling it a thriller, but only one name seems to describe how the Broncos feel about it.
Calgary rallied from a 2nd period 5-2 deficit for a 6-5 double overtime win on Ryan White's wrister on a two-on-two.
Seriously, I'm done with leads in the WHL playoffs. A third period lead has spelled trouble. Just ask the Regina Pats in round one.
The Broncos led 2-0 six minutes in before Calgary tied it. Then the Broncos built a 5-2 lead midway through the 2nd before a 5-0n-3 Calgary PP goal cut the lead to 5-3 after two.
Scoring chances dominated the game, and overtime was no exception, In fact, the chances seem to mount in sudden death. Travis Yonkman made some brilliant saves including an out-of-this-world double pad stacker on the side of the net on Brandon Kozun.
Both teams shortened their bench somewhat in OT. The Broncos going with 10 forwards and six defense while Calgary's all world defensive corps surprisingly cut the d-rotation to four (Alzner, Stone, Postma and Seabrook). For all the talk of Calgary's defense in this series, it was the Broncos still playing with six, sometimes seven d-men in overtime.
The thing is, these two teams played 5 periods of hockey last night and get right back at it tonight. It's the beginning of potentially four games in five nights.
The Broncos were able to chase Dan Spence from the Hitmen goal after Michael Wilson found a loose puck on the powerplay and put it home. Martin Jones came in for relief duties and was promptly beaten on the first shot he faced - a beauty set-up from Jesse Dudas to spot Geordie Wudrick on the side of the net. After that Jones was stellar, making every save the rest of the way.
So who gets the start in the Calgary goal tonight? Do you go back to Spence or give Jones the shot to carry the mail in game four?
---------------
Honestly I think the guys have shaken off the double OT loss this morning, they have no choice. We will see who the fresher team is tonight before a day off Thursday.
I woke up this morning hurting. The voice and throat got a good workout. It's the longest game I've ever called all 99 minutes worth. We don't take commercials in overtime as we don't want to miss the game winner. Thank god Ryan Switzer was with me last night to take some of the load off.
I hope you enjoyed the broadcast, I had a few e-mails this morning from friends who really enjoyed the "classic" or "thriller" ... and yes the heartbreaker.
Jon
2 comments:
Jon, you better hope that the Broncos can win tonight, Otherwise it's all over but the crying... See when you lose in the first round you are done crying by now... You, still are reeling, but the crying is all over... It has been an awesome series, but I think the Hitmen just have too much depth for me to give the Broncos any hope... Sorry Jon better luck next year, and you never know a couple of weeks on the greens and the Broncos should be able to catch right up to the Warriors and the Pats...
Jon, Shaw did a terrible job on the video of last nights game, they could rarely get the brightness of the white ice off the screen. The only thing they did well was show all 8 of this year's WHL overtime goals...of which your call of Weise's goal against Regina was far and away the best! Keep up the good work!
Post a Comment