Jamie Mountain
The Muskie boys’ hockey team used a late push to come back and stun the Kittson Bearcats 6-5 in overtime in an exhibition game last night.
With the Bearcats leading 5-3 in the third period, Byron Stewart brought the black-and-gold back within a goal with a blast off a face-off.
Then with goalie Darian Klem pulled for an extra attacker, Eric Pitkanen tied the game with just over a minute to go assisted by Reed Bodnar and Cole Allan.
Pitkanen then played hero once again in the extra frame, scoring the winner at 3:42 on a feed from Mikel Ward.
The Bearcats opened the scoring in the first period, then added a short-handed marker.
Despite outshooting Kittson by a 12-6 margin, the Muskies trailed 2-0 heading into the second period.
Jake Barker finally put the black-and-gold on the board in the second frame, with Kendyn Faragher drawing the assist.
Allan knotted it 2-2 before the Muskies gave the lead back with a costly penalty later in the period.
Kaleb Bruyere got the Muskies all even again when his shot made it 3-3.
But before the period was over, Kittson regained its lead on a black-and-gold turnover.
The Bearcats then scored on an odd-man rush early in the third before the Muskies’ thrilling comeback.
Shots on goal favoured Fort High by a 39-18 margin.
The Muskies resume NorWOSSA action this Tuesday night when they visit the Kenora Broncos.
Then they’ll host the Dryden Eagles on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at “The Duke” (Couchiching Arena).
In related news, the Muskie girls’ hockey team opens a series of exhibition games in Thunder Bay when they take on the Midget ‘A’ Queens tonight.
Tomorrow will see them face the Bantam ‘AA’ Queens before wrapping up play against the Confederation College Thunderhawks.
The girls next see NorWOSSA action on Tuesday when they take on the Broncos in Kenora.
Then they will host the Dryden Eagles on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at “The Duke.”
