Game #34
The Maine Nordiques were coming off a 6-5 overtime victory from the previous night and were looking for the weekend sweep against the first-place Bears.
The first period saw the Nordiques hungry and Brendan Gibbons was able to break free on a two-on-one with Blake Rothstein thanks to a great pass from Laurent Trepanier. Gibbons dished it over to Rothstein and the Nords would take a 1-0 lead less than three minutes into the game. Tensions would flare and there would be some penalties, but Kael Depape stood tall in the Nordiques crease.
The second period had the Nordiques go to an early power play but weren’t able to strike. Both teams got great chances towards the goaltenders but neither side could find a goal. The Nords got another man advantage and we’re able to get good possession but nothing to show for it. Still 1-0 Nords after two periods.
The third was back and forth and a tremendous goaltending battle. The Nords were hanging onto a 1-0 lead with less than five minutes to play but the Nords would head to the penalty kill. On the penalty kill, the Nords were able to block three shots and Laurent Trepiner dove out to block two of those. With the Black Bears net empty, Trepiner saw the puck float down the ice against the end boards and turned on the burners, he beat everyone to the puck and iced it into the empty net despite being on a six-on-four deficit. Nords win 2-0.
The win comes on Matt Pinchevsky’s birthday and the Nordiques knock off the top team in the east once more, but this time, it’s with a sweep!