The Grandview Steelers eliminate the North Vancouver Wolf Pack winning 2-1 in the best of three series in the opening rounds of the playoffs. The series was a see-saw battle that went back and forth in every game.
The opening game in Burnaby saw both teams trade goals in the first two periods. In the third, the Wolf Pack surged ahead scoring two goals just under a minute apart followed by the Steelers answering back with two goals just over a minute a part. It was wild as all four goals were scored in just above 4 minutes. The game ended in a deadlock in regulation and late in the first period, forward Nathan Bran tipped a shot from Vincent Timperio to play the hero. Defenseman Cameron Lee also picked up an assist. Steelers Goaltender Shayan Kermany made 46 saves in the winning effort.
Game 2 shifted to North Vancouver to the Harry Jerome Recreation Centre. With the Wolf Pack cornered, they came out determined to extend the series starting with two quick goals in the first. The Steelers regrouped in the intermission and began clawing back led by Captain Alec Pettingale goal to cut the deficit in half. In the third, the Steelers did find the equalizer to tie the game but the Wolf Pack scored the game winning goal midway through the period and added a late powerplay goal for insurance. Kermany made a whopping 57 saves in the first half of the back to back.
In the latter half and decisive game, we returned to the House of Steeltown Pride at the BWC. Fatigued would play it part but it is the playoffs and maximum effort is required. It was the same story unfolding in front of our eyes as the Wolf Pack shell shocked the Steelers with two quick goals in the first period. 20 year old and veteran Vincent Timperio scores with a beautiful wrister to cut the lead in half. Bandesha, who tied the game the previous night, scores the tying goal in the third. The Wolf Pack retake the lead momentarily. This is when the script changed. Steven Konechny tied up the game with a powerplay goal to push the game into sudden death overtime. It was a wide open and wild overtime as both teams abandoned their defensive duties, giving up odd man rushes however goaltenders Kermany and Tritt had other plans. The Steelers were inches away from ending it, hitting the post twice and a crossbar. In the second overtime period, it was none other than Kaidan Johnson who took an advantage of an errand rebound to eliminate the Wolf Pack and play the overtime hero.
The Steelers now will get set to battle the juggernaut Delta Ice Hawks who finished atop the Tom Shaw Conference.
Game 1: North Vancouver Wolf Pack 3 at Grandview Steelers 4 (OT) – Status: Final OT1
North Vancouver 0 1 2 0 – 3
Grandview 1 0 2 1 – 4
1st Period-1, Grandview, Chelico 1 (Bandesha, Johnson), 19:59
2nd Period-2, North Vancouver, Casellato 1 (Pickell), 2:07. Penalties-Lee Gra (boarding ), 6:14.
3rd Period-3, North Vancouver, Binette 1 (Dalla Pace, Baron), 3:08 (PP). 4, North Vancouver, Pickell 1 (Casellato, Dalla Pace), 4:01. 5, Grandview, Brown 1 (Adam), 5:12. 6, Grandview, Brown 2 (Pettingale), 6:23.
1st OT Period-7, Grandview, Bran 1 (Timperio, Lee), 9:40. Penalties-No Penalties
Shots on Goal-North Vancouver 16-14-13-6-49. Grandview 13-6-13-3-35.
Power Play Opportunities-North Vancouver 1 / 3; Grandview 0 / 2.
Goalies-North Vancouver, Bencsik (35 shots-31 saves). Grandview, Kermany (49 shots-46 saves)
Game 2: Grandview Steelers 2 at North Vancouver Wolf Pack 4 – Status: Final
Grandview 0 1 1 – 2
North Vancouver 2 0 2 – 4
1st Period-1, North Vancouver, Reimer 1 (Burgess), 3:20. 2, North Vancouver, Penman 1 (Hunter), 5:24.
2nd Period-3, Grandview, Pettingale 1 (Brown, Timperio), 2:34.
3rd Period-4, Grandview, Bandesha 1 (Bran), 4:15. 5, North Vancouver, Casellato 2 (Penman, Swampy), 11:09. 6, North Vancouver, Casellato 3 (Hunter, Soares), 18:08 (PP).
Shots on Goal-Grandview 13-19-26-58. North Vancouver 24-19-18-61.
Power Play Opportunities-Grandview 0 / 5; North Vancouver 1 / 1.
Goalies-Grandview, Kermany (61 shots-57 saves). North Vancouver, Tritt (58 shots-56 saves).
Game 3: North Vancouver Wolf Pack 3 at Grandview Steelers 4 (OT) – Status: Final OT2
North Vancouver 2 0 1 0 0 – 3
Grandview 0 1 2 0 1 – 4
1st Period-1, North Vancouver, Casellato 4 (Pickell), 4:19. 2, North Vancouver, Baron 1 (Binette, Swampy), 4:50.
2nd Period-3, Grandview, Timperio 1 (Konechny, Cox), 2:33.
3rd Period-4, Grandview, Bandesha 2 (Chelico), 1:01. 5, North Vancouver, Pelletier 1 (Baron, Dalla Pace), 3:44. 6, Grandview, Konechny 1 (Johnson, Narduzzi), 9:29 (PP).
1st OT Period- No Scoring.
2nd OT Period-7, Grandview, Johnson 1 9:33.
Shots on Goal-North Vancouver 11-17-8-6-4-46. Grandview 9-7-12-3-4-35.
Power Play Opportunities-North Vancouver 0 / 0; Grandview 1 / 0.
Goalies-North Vancouver, Tritt (35 shots-31 saves); Castro (0 shots-0 saves). Grandview, Kermany (46 shots-43 saves).
