Only in the RHL can 5-0 lead to an even more significant 4-0.
Well the Guelph Reapers extended their win streak to 5 game with an impressive 4-0 victory over the Vulcan Mind Melds. The game also marked a historic moment for the Guelph Reapers. With the 4-0 win, the team has secured a playoff spot for the 4th year in a row, every year the team has been in existence.
Lets review the past two victories. The Reapers left Calgary having swept the mini series and taken 3 in a row contests. The team then headed to Albany to take on the injury riddled Strap Hangers. The Hangers were without their number one goalie, Antero Niittymaki. This would prove a huge break for the Reapers.
The Reapers would open the scoring just 35 seconds into the game. Niko Kapanen capitalized on a giveaway by Sean Hill to go in on the breakaway. Kapanen roofed a sweet shot right under the crossbar on his backhand for his 17th goal of the season. The Strap Hangers however would even the score just past the 5 minute mark of the period. Former Reaper Michael Nylander netted his 16th of the year, from Jan Bulis and Andrew Hutchinson to tie the game and that tie would last for the next 28 minutes of the game. At the 13 minute mark of the 2nd, the Strap Hangers would once more find the twine. Mark Rycroft's 4th of the season from Ville Nieminen and Trevor Linden would give the Strap Hangers their first lead of the game. Mike Ricci would net his 4th of the year before the period was out, to extend the lead to 3 to 1. Mark Rycroft and Sergei Samsonov assisted on the insurance tally. Things looked bad for the Reapers heading into the third period, down 3-1. However something very strange happened. Early in the third, Philippe Sauve the Strap Hangers netminder left the game for unknown reasons. It is believed it was personal reasons, as no injury was reported to the league. With Nittymaki already out, and no third goalie, Sean Hill went into the goal for one play. Sean Hill was perfect, stopping the only shot he faced while in net. Yet for some reason, the Strap Hangers then put Dmitri Kalinin in net. Kalinin only faced 6 shots, but he was far from perfect as the Reapers began their comeback. Mike Leclerc netted his 12th of the season from Garnet Exelby and Trevor Letowski to cut the lead to 3-2. Shane Doan would net his 33rd of the year, with just over a minute and a half left in the game. Wayne Primeau and Pavel Kubina would assist on the Powerplay marker that tied the game. But the heart breaking goal for Strap Hangers fans happened with 35 seconds left in the game. Wayne Primeau would net his 6th of the year from Kevin Dallman and Pierre Dagenais to give the Reapers the win. Miller earned his 4th save in a row since returning from his stint on the bench. Kalinin took the loss, allowing 3 goals on 6 shots.
The Reapers with the win were given an opportunity to secure a playoff spot last night. One of the two teams still in contention, the Mind Melds of planet Vulcan flew their spaceships down to Guelph to take on the Reapers. At stake, the playoffs. The Reapers clearly knew what they had to do, this game was all Guelph.
The Reapers opened the scoring late in the first. Trevor Letowski scored his 9th goal of the year from Serge Aubin and Mike LeClerc to give the Reapers the 1-0 lead. Just 33 seconds into the second period, the Reapers doubled their lead. Joel Bouchard netted his 3rd of the season from Jason Woolley and Radim Vrbata. The Reapers added another marker 7 minutes later to make it 3-0. Mark Hartigan who has been absolutely on fire as of late, netted his 8th of the season from Radim Vrbata and Pavel Kubina. Finally the Reapers rounded out the scoring late in the third as Mark Hartigan netted his 2nd of the game, and 9th of the season. Shane Doan drew the only assist on the Powerplay marker. The Reapers peppered Nabokov with 42 shots. Ryan Miller stopped all 22 shots for the shutout victory.
Of note the Reapers have four games remaining to wind out their season. They must face the Falcons tonight, in Cleveland. Then they will return home to face the Roadkill and the Spectres before ending their season on the road in Waterloo against the Roadkill once more.
Mark Hartigan's 2 goals give him 6 goals and 8 points in the 5 game stretch. Miller's shutout victory brings him to 5 straight wins, he is undefeated since coming out of the press box.
The Reapers now can afford to rest their players a bit more with the playoffs secure, to prepare for a playoff run. With only one active injury, and that player pretty much set to return, the team will do its best to stay healthy for the remainder of the year.
Reporting for your Reapers,
Sal Trachan
Sunday, May 4, 2008
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