KAMLOOPS — It was like a chess match between the Kamloops Storm and Revelstoke Grizzlies, until checkmate by the Storm in overtime.
Both teams had chances in a scoreless first in which the Grizzlies outshot the Storm 18-11.
The Storm took over the shot clock 15-12 in the second, and opened the scoring on a goal by Chris Thon.
The third was nearly even on shots of 22-21 in favour of Revelstoke, and Grizzlies tied it early with Matt Cadden beating Storm goaltender Jordan Wilde at 1:17.
There was no more scoring in regulation time — so it went to overtime.
One overtime period, then two overtimes, still tied.
A minute into the third overtime on a three-on-two rush, Nathen Weninger dropped a pass to Jayden Castle and his shot trickled through the pads of Revelstoke goalie Giovanni Sambrielaz — Storm win 2-1 to force game five in the series.
“It’s a great feeling to have to take the weight off the boys shoulders — but it’s a team effort every night.” says Castle, “I would’nt have scored the goal if my teammate (Weninger) had’nt dropped it back to me.”
“The boys showed up with no quit.” says coach Ed Patterson, “They have a lot of determination still left in them. The guys who were challenged rose to the occassion and played fantastic.”
Both teams had chances to end it earlier on power plays, with Revelstoke going 0-for-8 and the Storm 0-for-5.
Game five is Thursday night in Revelstoke with the Grizzlies holding a three-games-to-one series lead.
If a sixth game is required it will be in Kamloops at Memorial Arena on Friday night,.
