INNISFAIL – The Devon Barons are just one win away from winning the North Central Hockey League quarter-finals against the Innisfail Eagles.
The Barons did it the night of Friday, Feb. 14 at the Innisfail Twin Arena from a goal by Braiden Doucette at 13:13 of the first overtime period.
It was a 4 – 3 victory for Devon, their second overtime victory of the series. The Barons won the first game of the series at home with a 5 – 4 overtime victory.
Once again the Barons were outshot by the Eagles.
The Birds had 66 on Barons goalie Jordon Cooke while the Birds’ Wade Waters faced 42.
But Devon made enough of theirs to make it count to take a two games to one lead in the best of five opening round series.
The Barons can seal their ticket to the semifinals with a third win on the night of Saturday, Feb. 15 at home.
If the Birds win, its back to Innisfail on Sunday afternoon for the fifth and deciding game at 2:30 p.m. at the Innisfail Twin Arena.
Friday night’s third game saw the Eagles take a quick first period lead at 18:23 on a goal by Mike Marianchuk.
But the Barons’ Devon Winczura tied the game on a shorthanded goal at 7:23.
Devon then got a power play goal by Matthew Stefanishion with 1:49 remaining in the opening period to take the lead.
Less than a minute later with 46 seconds left in the first period Devon’s Dayton Heino added one more and after 20 minutes the Barons had a 3 – 1 lead.
The Birds outshot Devon 23 – 14 in the opening period.
The second period was scoreless but the Eagles outshot the Barons by a margin of 18 – 13.
However, the Birds’ scoring touch came alive in the second half of the third period.
Tyler Berkholtz scored a power play goal at 7:11 and less than a minute later Chase Thudium tied the game at 6:14.
The 3 – 3 tie remained until the end of regulation play but Devon went on to win in the first overtime on Doucette’s goal.
He was named first star of the game, with the Eagles Chance Longjohn getting second star and Devon goalie Cooke named the third.
