With only 1:02 left in the first overtime period, Kenzie Arnold played the overtime hero for the Nipawin Hawks.
That goal gave the Hawks a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over the Estevan Bruins in Game 3 of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League championship series, played in Estevan. Arnold’s goal gives the Hawks a 2-1 series lead.
The overtime winner nearly did not happen for the Hawks, who needed a pair of Logan Casavant third period goals, including one with 3.8 seconds left, just to send the game into overtime.
Casavant led the way offensively for the Hawks scoring twice, while the Arnold brothers did the rest of the damage, with Kenzie notching a goal and Brandan registering a goal and two assists.
Declan Hobbs picked up the win, turning aside 29 shots as the Hawks regained home ice advantage.
Hayden Guilderson responded with a pair of goals for the Bruins, while Zach Goberis chipped in with the other.
Bo Didur was charged with the loss, allowing four goals on 45 shots, sending the 20-year-old netminder to his first two game losing streak in more than 2.5 months.
After a scoreless first period, the Bruins wasted little time getting on the board in the second period.
Guilderson converted a feed from Jake Fletcher at 1:14 of the second period, putting the home side in front 1-0.
After the Bruins scored early in the period, the Hawks responded scoring late in the second period, as Brandan Arnold beat Didur with 21 seconds remaining, sending the game into the third tied at one.
The Bruins regained their lead at 6:57 of the third period, as Goberis scored his ninth of the playoffs.
Guilderson extended the Bruins’ lead to two with his second of the night less than four minutes later.
With the Hawks staring at their second deficit of the series, Casavant came alive, scoring power play goals at 13:32 and 19:56 to send the game into overtime.
Penalties became a major story in the extra session as the referees handed out seven minor penalties and three power plays, including one to Tyler Adams with 1:41 to play.
With the Hawks short a man, Kenzie Arnold forced a turnover at the Hawks blueline and raced in all alone to score his second of the playoffs, giving the Hawks the win.
Special teams were huge for the Hawks as they finished 2-for-7 with the man advantage, and killed off all four Bruins power play, scoring once while shorthanded.
The Hawks will look to take their third straight 3-1 series lead, when they return to action April 18 in Estevan.
