Mistakes Cost Ice Miners in Game 1 Loss to Soo
April 11, 2015 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Keystone Ice Miners News Release
CONNELLSVILLE, PA - In the playoffs, one mistake is often the difference between a win and a loss. The Ice Miners made several on Friday night in game 1 of the North Division Semifinals and the Soo Eagles capitalized nearly every time, on the way to a 6-1 win for a 1-0 series lead.
Keystone started well and had an 8-1 shot advantage early but a defensive miscue at 8:12 of the first period led to Brad Pung's game opening goal. Pung was set up by Raymond Brice and Denver Pierce. Just over two minutes later, Soo extended their lead with a shorthanded goal when Matt Menta split the Ice Miners defense and slipped a backhand between the pads of Alex Blankenburg for a 2-0 Eagles advantage. Menta would strike again at 14:09 after a fortunate carom off the end boards. Nick Kossoff relieved Blankenburg after the third goal.
In the second period, Soo went up 4-0 just 1:08 into the frame when captain Darren Brady jumped up on the play and was untouched in front of Kossoff. The Ice Miners finally broke through just over a minute later when Lordanthony Grissom roofed a wrist shot past Soo netminder Chad Catt. Keystone failed to capitalize on a 5 minute powerplay after Soo's Mitch Vanderberg took 9 minutes in penalties (plus a game miscounduct), and the score was 4-1 through two periods.
In the third, Soo's offense continued to roll as Sandis Zolmanis and Raymond Brice added late goals for good measure and Soo got the decisive 6-1 win. Catt stopped 34 shots while Blankenburg was credited with the loss, giving up 3 goals on only 6 shots. Keystone will look to even the series on Saturday night at the Ice Mine. Game 2 begins at 7:30 PM. Fans can purchase tickets online at mkt.com/keystoneiceminers.
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