Saturday, October 30th, 2021 Golden 5 Fernie 4
The Rockets were back on the road to Fernie Saturday, for a fittingly pre-Halloween tilt against the divisional-rival Ghostriders. The night before October 31st has been known as “Gate Night” over the years, and in this particular contest the phrase could be deemed quite appropriate. Not only were the clubs displaying their skills before a crowd of just under 400 ( a healthy “gate” at the door), but there was to be nearly 90 shots ( the flood “gates” were opened), fired at goaltenders Michael O’Sullivan (Rockets) and Brendan Lloyd (Fernie).
The opening period of play proved fairly even, with the Rockets Jordan Lario combining with Drayden Gibson at 8:01 to get Golden on the scoreboard. A late period goal by Fernie, at 19:48, tied things up at 1-1 as the teams headed to the dressing rooms.
In the middle stanza Golden regained the lead just a minute into the period, when Connor Funke found the back of the cage on a neat setup from Kade Cochlan and Austin Angus. Fernie however, stormed back with sustained offensive pressure and struck for three goals (one on the powerplay and the last with just three seconds left in the frame) to open a 4-2 lead after 40 minutes.
The Rockets were not to be counted out of this one yet, as they quickly regrouped and came storming back in the third period with some pressure of their own. Two tallies in two minutes drew the Goldenites even at 4-4. At 10:05 Aidan Ballance finished off a play from teammate Will Vernon, and at 12:04 Nicolas Regan made no mistake, hitting the twine on a perfect feed from Zac Siudy. The third period ended in a 4-4 draw, and the 5-minute OT session proved nothing, as the teams went into the shootout.
In that shootout, no less than 14 skaters were needed before Rockets Zac Siudy hit for what proved to be the deciding winner in Round 7. And, with Michael O’Sullivan in the Golden net shutting the door on the final Fernie sniper, the Rockets got back into the win column with a 5-4 victory.
