The Peterborough Timbermen fought as hard as they could against the Six Nations Snipers on Saturday night in a comeback effort but lost a heartbreaking 17-16 game in overtime.
Joel Matthews gave the Timbermen an early 1-0 lead which they held for most of the first quarter. He added a second but the Snipers soon responded to lead 4-2 after the first.
Each team scored twice in the second frame, sending the Snipers to the dressing room at halftime with a 6-4 lead.
In the early part of the third, Matthews kept the Snipers in check with a pair of goals, though their lead was extended to 12-6. Later, Chris Attwood sandwiched a Dan Michel marker – all three goals coming on the power play – but the Snipers added on more before the quarter ended for a 13-9 lead.
Instead of getting down on themselves, the Timbermen battled back in the fourth quarter with four straight goals to the game at 13. Matthews scored his sixth of the night to complete the “sock-trick.” Blake Kenny scored the tying goal with 6:09 left to play. The Timbermen and Snipers traded goals until Mark Vradenburg gave Peterborough the lead with 1:32 remaining. Quinn Powless tied the game again with six seconds remaining, and Tyler Brown scored the sudden death OT winner.
Kevin Croswell was lifted in the third quarter after 11 goals in favour of Brett Perras.
The Snipers, who improve to 1-3, but still sit in last place, were led by Wayne VanEvery with two goals and four assists, and Quinn Powless with two goals and three assists. Brandon Styres got the win in goal.
Matthews currently leads the ALL in goals scored with 15, while Vradenburg leads in assists with 17.
The Timbermen fall to 2-3 but retain their fourth place position. They are back at Children’s Arena in Oshawa next Saturday as they host the St. Catharines ShockWave at 7 p.m.
Scoring for the Timbermen:
Joel Matthews (6-2)
Chris Attwood (4-6)
Blake Kenny (2-2)
Mark Vradenburg (1-5)
Dan Michel (1-2)
Cam Garlin (1-1)
Cole McWilliams (1-0)
Justin Kulla (0-1)
Doug Utting (0-1)
