Wenatchee wins 1-0
April 13, 2014 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release
Wenatchee, WA. - Omar Mullan (Dearborn, Michigan) fired home a goal late in overtime to send the Wenatchee Wild past the Minnesota Wilderness 1-0, in the fifth and deciding game of the NAHL's Midwest Division semifinals, in front of 1,680 at the Town Toyota Center.
There was no scoring in the first period, but the Wild did have the better scoring chances and outshot Minnesota 10-8.
Just like the first, there was no scoring in the second period, with both teams having solid scoring chances. Shots in the period were 16-10 in favor of the Wilderness.
In the third period, both teams had tremendous chances but neither could dent the twine. Wenatchee outshot Minnesota in the third 17-12, to take a 37-36 shots advantage through 60 minutes.
In the overtime, the two teams battled up and down the ice, both getting good opportunities to score. Then, late in the extra session, Mullan fired home a crossing pass from the right circle, sending the Wild on to the Midwest Division finals. River Rymsha (Huntington Woods, Michigan) and Troy Loggins (Huntington Beach, California) drew the assists at 18:41, giving Wenatchee the 1-0 win. "That's an exciting one" said Wenatchee Wild Head Coach Bliss Littler. "Awful proud of the effort of all our boys. Winning game five and winning it in overtime is awful special, the kids will remember that their whole life." On the play of his goaltender, Littler said "We told Chase Perry (Andover, Minnesota) last night he was going to have to outplay their goaltender and you know what? Those two kids put on a show. That's as good of goaltending I've seen in a long time in junior hockey." On the game-winning goal, Littler said "It was nice the game-winner, a wily veteran like Omar Mullan sighted a hole that was open, he knows what to do with it when he has the puck. Overall, awful excited for our players."
The Wild outshot the Wilderness 54-48. Perry made 48 saves, Kasimir Kaskisuo had 53 saves for Minnesota. Wenatchee went 0-for-4 on the power play and 3-of-3 on the penalty kill.
The Wild win the series, 3-2.
Wenatchee will now face the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in the Midwest Division finals, with the series starting next weekend in Fairbanks. Individual and group game tickets for all home playoff games are on sale now. Call 509.888.PUCK (7825).
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North American Hockey League Stories from April 13, 2014
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- Austin advances after 3OT goal in longest NAHL game ever - Austin Bruins
- Wenatchee wins 1-0 - Wenatchee Wild
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