WINDSOR, N.S. — After a lacklustre first period, the Valley Maple Leafs rallied to give fans their money's worth during Friday night hockey action in Windsor.
The Leafs were down 2-0 within the first minute of play against the Pictou County Scotians Nov. 3. The score stayed that way until the second, when the Leafs sprung to action.
“We played hockey in the second and third periods. We definitely spotted them a couple of goals in the first 42 seconds,” said head coach Brett Fletcher following the game.
“Both teams were playing on horrible ice. The puck was all over the place, the fog was there – but that was the same for both sides.”
James Murphy and Nicholas Fewer scored in the opening frame.
Eli Hughes started the scoring off for the Leafs less than a minute into the second. The teams then traded goals, with Jeremy McFarlane scoring for Pictou, Ethan Rendell-Watson scoring for the Leafs and Jacob Pentz tallying a marker with 26 seconds remaining in the period.
Facing a 4-2 deficit heading into the third, Sean Anderson scored to bring the Leafs to within one. With 12 seconds showing on the clock, Cody Burghardt scored the game-tying goal to force overtime.
“We were short-staffed all around and we really stuck with it and in the last two periods, we outplayed them,” said Fletcher.
A bad bounce near the end of overtime saw the Scotians take home the win.
“Everybody gave 110 per cent so I was happy to see that. The effort was there even if we didn't get the win,” said Fletcher.
Chris Clokie was tagged with the loss. He faced a total of 37 shots on net. Pictou's Blake Meech, who faced 41 shots, received the win in nets.
The Leafs are preparing to face off against the East Hants Penguins Nov. 10 in Windsor. Fletcher said it should be a good game for fans to check out.
“East Hants and us are neck-and-neck,” said Fletcher of the team's standings. “We will be back next Friday against East Hants. It should be good because we will hopefully have a full, healthy squad back.”
Game time is 7:30 p.m.
