Game 2 – Sunday March 26, 4:30 – Cody Banks Arena, Sherwood

Game 2 of the IJHL Finals was very similar to game 1.  The Sherwood A & S Scrap Metal Metros defeated the Kensington Moase Plumbing and Heating Vipers 4-2 in another physical affair.

Game 2 was like a mirror image of game 1 as the home team took an early lead in the game.  The Metros took an early lead as Keegan Mitchell scored off a nice passing play from Creegan Thompson and Jaden Murphy just 35 seconds into the game.  Although the Vipers outshot the Metros 17 - 11, the Metros maintained their lead after the first period.  The second period saw a lot of quality chances and more physical play from both teams.  At the 8:24 mark of the second period, the Metros would add to their lead with a slap shot from the point from Ben Watts.  Keegan Mitchell would get an assist on that goal.  With 3:53 left in the 2^nd frame, Creegan Thompkins would score with an assist from Niklas Reeves.  As it looked like the teams would be going to the dressing room 3-0 for the Metros, the Vipers found some life when Brett Ballem scored on a wrap-around from Carson MacKay and Ethan Beaulieu with just 50 seconds left, giving the Vipers a new life for the third period.  49 seconds into the 3^rd period, the Metros Keiran Rennie would be assessed a 5 minute major for head contact and the Vipers would waste little time scoring as 14 seconds into the major Carson MacKay  would bring the Vipers within 1 goal, with Brett Ballem adding an assist to MacKay’s goal.  Just 21 seconds before the Metros killed off their major penalty, they would receive a double minor for kneeing, putting them down 5 on 3 for 21 seconds, and 5 on 4 for the remainder of that 4 minutes.  The Metros’ penalty killers were up to the task, but the Metros looked tired as they were outshot 18-3 at one point in the period.  Matt Jelly was very strong in net again for the Metros as he kept the Vipers off the board for the remainder of the game.  The Metros would add an empty net goal by Hunter Bradley assisted by Niklas Reeves with 59 seconds left.  The Metros would win the game 4-2, however they were out shot 52-37.

Game 3 in the series will be play on Saturday, April 1^st at 7:30 at the Credit Union Centre in Kensington, followed by game 4 at Cody Banks Arena in Sherwood on Sunday, April 2^nd at 3:30 pm.