Di Puma Forces OT; McKenzie Nets Game-Winner
Published on February 20, 2010 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release
WENATCHEE, Wash. - It required an improbable short-handed goal with less than a minute remaining in regulation, then a game-winning goal moments later in overtime, but the Wenatchee Wild found a way to beat the visiting Texas Tornado at the Town Toyota Center Friday night, 3-2. It was Wenatchee's fourth win in its last five games and its first win over Texas since Nov. 7.
It did not take long for Ryan Timar (Novi, Mich.), the newest member of the Wenatchee Wild, to make an impact with his new team. Acquired earlier this month from Alpena, Timar gave the Wild a 1-0 lead 68 seconds into the second period. The benefactor of a fortuitous rebound off of the boards behind the Texas goal on a shot by Alex McLean (Duluth, Minn.), Timar wasted no time in firing a shot that beat Tornado goaltender Dan Sullivan short side. It was Timar's 16th goal and 30th point of the season. The goal also extended Timar's consecutive points streak to seven games.
The Tornado controlled the rest of the second period. Rock Einersen tied the game with just over 11 minutes remaining in the frame when he capitalized on a 2-on-1 opportunity. Tyler Underhill's wrist shot from the slot with just over five minutes left in the second period gave the Tornado a 2-1 lead heading into the second intermission.
In spite of bombarding Sullivan with shots in the third period, the Wild's chances of tying the score looked bleak after Dajon Mingo (Canton, Mich.) was forced to take a hooking penalty with less than two minutes remaining in regulation. Against the odds, however, Michael Di Puma (Chicago, Ill.) found a way to force extra time when he scored short-handed with 38 seconds left in regulation on a five-hole shot. It was Di Puma's 14th goal and 29th point of the season. Brandon Burrell (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) and Eric Johnson (Madison, Wis.) were credited with the assists.
In overtime, Jeff Jubinville (Edmonton, AB) forced a steal at the Texas blue line. The puck slid into the near corner where Jubinville picked it up on his forehand and skated along the outside of the faceoff circle before sending a deft pass to Shawn Pauly (Bellingham, Wash.) on the opposite wing. Pauly then made an immediate touch pass to Adam McKenzie (Petaluma, Calif.) in the slot, and McKenzie buried the overtime game-winner. It was McKenzie's seventh goal and 26th point of the season.
Sullivan made 42 saves on 45 shots for the Tornado. Brendan Jensen (El Granada, Calif.), who started in net for the Wild, stopped 7-of-9 shots through the first two periods. Brandon Jaeger (Champlin, Minn.), who filled in for Jensen at the start of the third period, stopped all six of the shots he faced in 21-plus minutes of work. Jaeger earned the win, his 15th on the season.
Wenatchee will try to sweep Texas Saturday night. Faceoff is set for 7:05 p.m.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 20, 2010
- Di Puma Forces OT; McKenzie Nets Game-Winner - Wenatchee Wild
- Jets Land For Two At Stars - Traverse City North Stars
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