Xtreme win OT Thriller in Game 2

The NHSL is the gift that keeps on giving.

If it was even possible, the Adelaide Xtreme and the Port Adelaide Brewers treated fans to even better game in the second instalment of the best-of-five series.

A crazy, frantic and passionate game ended once again in a 3-2 scoreline. This time it was Jordan Geyer who scored the OT winner on the power play to push the Xtreme to a 3-2 victory.

The Championship Series is now tied at one apiece.

The game was eerily similar to Game #1.

The winning team had a 2-0 lead, squandered it, but then won it in overtime. Both goalies stole the show. It was intense. It was dramatic. It was beautiful.

Matus Trnka made 45 saves for the Brewers. Jeremy Friederich made 40 saves for the Xtreme.

Joey MacDougall had had a Gordie Howe Hattrick – a goal, two assists, and a fight. He even helped set up the winner.

Here’s how it unfolded.

We should have known we were in for a treat as soon as the puck was dropped.  It took literally a second for the battle to begin.

Off the opening face-off Xander Wardlaw busted up the centre ice on a breakaway and Matus Trnka had to make a point blank save just 6 seconds in to the game.

That set the tone for a frantic first period.

Both teams traded chances. It was beautiful and elegant offensive opportunities that were only upended by even better saves by the two goalies.

Jeremy Friederich – who made 40 saves in a Game 1 loss – made 11 first period stops, nearly all of them challenging. Matus Trnka, who also made 40 saves for the Brewers in Game 1, had another special encore effort making 15 first period saves.

It was the first scoreless period in NHSL history.

The second period, however, wasted no time to bring us goal scoring action. Just 16 seconds in off an awkward play, Xtreme captain Joey MacDougall swiped at a lose puck that went right to the back of the net. 1-0.

Minutes later the Xtreme found themselves with an extra attacker and a pulled goalie for a delayed penalty. But a misplayed puck back to the defense saw the puck slowly trickle down the rink with eyes for the open net. The puck drifted maybe an inch to the right of the net. The Xtreme picked up the loose puck, sent an outlet pass to the stick of Xander Wardlaw who popped the puck past Matus Trnka.

2-0 Xtreme.

On the very next shift the Brewers came in waves. It was finally a rip from Harley Anderson, who took advantage of a poor Xtreme change, that sunk the Xtreme goose-egg on a break-away.

The rest of the period brought a similar intensity to period one. Matus Trnka made a couple low pad saves for the Brewers. Nicola Pau rifled one off the cross-bar late in the frame.

There was even fisticuffs when MacDougall and Steve Best dropped the gloves right as time expired.

No shortage of intensity.

The Brewers tied the game in the first part of the third period on a beautifully executed 3-on-2.

Tyler Leeming showed patience entering the zone, deposited the puck to his left and Tom Sak, who made a beautiful cross crease pass for Nic Pau to knock in. 2-2 hockey game.

Both teams had their chances. Olli Martin and Jamie Woodman each hit a post for the Xtreme. Jeremy Friederich made a series of saves on a late Brewer power play.

Just like Game 1, the second instalment of this epic series went to overtime.

The Brewers had an early power play but couldn’t convert.

When the Xtreme got their man advantage, they made no mistake. Jordan Geyer found himself open down the left side and clapped home the winner.

The Xtreme special teams once again stood tall. They killed off all five penalties they took – including one in OT and another with two to play in the third – and took advantage of their chance in OT.

We can’t wait to see what happens in Game 3 next Friday