The 2014 Mann Cup is tied at one game each between the Victoria Shamrocks and Six Nations Chiefs after the WLA champion Shamrocks took down the Chiefs 6-5 in double overtime on Saturday night.
After losing Game 1, the Shamrocks were determined to get themselves back into the competition, so they tightened up their defense. Both games have been low scoring for each team as the defense and goaltending is taking centre stage in the tournament. Brandon Miller made 40 saves for the Chiefs while Matt Findell stopped 36 for Victoria.
It was a back and forth game, with the teams being tied three times during the game. Colin Doyle and Craig Point opened the scoring for Six Nations. Karsen Leung for Victoria and Kasey Beirnes for Six Nations traded goals in the second half of the period to put the Chiefs up 3-1 after the first.
Chris Wardle scored the only goal of the third period to narrow the gap to 3-2.
Rhys Duch and Corey Small gave Victoria a 4-3 lead in the third period before Point scored at 19:54 of the third to send the game to overtime. Six Nations pulled off a similar feat in game six of the Peterborough series, sending that game to overtime with eight seconds left.
The 10-minute overtime saw each team score once, Doyle for the Chiefs and Small for the Shamrocks, leaving the two teams tied again after the 10-minute overtime period.
Wardle scored at 2:32 of sudden death double overtime to win it for the Shamrocks.
Dhane Smith did not dress for the Shamrocks.
Game 3 goes Monday night at 8:00 pm.
