The Penetang Kings needed overtime to outlast the Orillia Terriers in Game 5 of the best-of-seven Provincial Junior Hockey league series Saturday night at Rotary Place.
In the wake of the heartbreaking 6-5 loss, the Terriers will now feel the pressure of elimination as they trail the series 3-2.
The Terriers played some of their best hockey of the season in front of a crowd of 534 fans during Game 5.
Star forward Kyle Heitzner continued his hot streak, netting two goals, while Kyle Fisher, Zane Morris and Calan Tanzi-Foshay added single markers.
It wasn’t enough for the Terriers, as they simply couldn’t keep the Kings down.
The Terriers squandered the lead three times, including giving up a three-goal lead in the second period.
To make matters worse, the Terriers ran into some bad puck luck, missing some crucial scoring chances while running into a hot goaltender.
Ruan Badenhorst of the Kings stopped 37 shots, with the biggest of his saves coming late in the third period and early in overtime, where he would deny all six Terriers shots during a flurry of pressure in front of his net.
Despite the Terriers' frustrating inability to put the Kings away, head coach Dallyn Telford is keeping positive heading into Game 6.
“There is no point in getting down on ourselves. It takes four games to win a series,” said Telford, who believes the series is far from over.
Although the loss was visibly frustrating for the players, Telford knows his players will be motivated for Game 6, and he expects them to respond.
“We are going to come ready tomorrow, I’m fully confident, and if everyone plays to the best of their ability, we will be coming back here (Orillia) for Game 7,” said Telford.
Puck drop for tonight’s game is 6:30 p.m. in Penetang. Should the Terriers be victorious, they will return to Rotary Place for Game 7 Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m.
TERRIER TALES: Captain Jake Beard, along with shutdown defenceman Ayden Dooley continue to be out of the lineup with injuries. Telford said after Saturday’s game that both Beard and Dooley, who have yet to play in the post-season, are a game-time decision tonight. Orillia netminder Jason Cumbo took the loss; he stopped 32 of 38 shots. The Terriers out-shot the Kings 42-38. Each team went one-for-five on the power play. Terrier defenceman Matt Priest was recognized before Saturday's game when he was named the best defenceman in the North Carruthers division.
