The Vanberg Cup Finals series between the Devon Barons and the Lacombe Generals sits at one game apiece after the teams split last weekend's home and home games.
On Friday, Lacombe built up a 3-1 first period lead only to see Devon battle back in the third period to take a 6-5 lead with under 2 minutes remaining. With a minute and a half remaining, the Barons took a high sticking penalty and the Generals took 30 seconds to tie the game and force overtime. Scott Doucet 1-2-3 scored the overtime winner six and a half minutes into the OT to claim the win for the home team. Also scoring for Lacombe were TJ Brown 1-1-2, Luke Coleman, Thomas Beretta with 2, Colin Zimmer and Taylor Muller. Jamie Johnson kicked in with 0-4-4. Goaltender Mac Engel picked up the win turning away 37 shots. Replying for Devon were Cody Issler with 2, Trevor Posch 2-1-3, Chris Van Os-Shaw 1-2-3, and Brandon Powlik. Goaltender Mike Gudmanson took the loss stopping 44 shots. Lacombe's power play was the difference in this game as they went 3 for 7, while the Baron's went 0 for 1.
Saturday's game was just as close. Lacombe jumped into an early 2-0 first period lead with goals from Colin Zimmer and a short handed tally by Jamie Johnson. The Barons closed the gap to one before the end of the first period when Trevor Posch scored. The teams traded goals in the second period, and Devon scored twice in the third to take the lead with 8 minutes remaining, and Devon's defence held Lacombe scoreless the rest of the way. Scoring for the Barons were Posch with 2, and Brandon Powlik with 2. Jordan Cooke stopped 37 of 40 shots to pick up the win. Replying for the Generals were Zimmer, Johnson and Tyrell Bourk, and Mac Engel turned away 40 of 44 shots and was saddled with the loss. Neither team scored a power play goal, and the Generals had one short handed marker.
To date, there hasn't been much to choose between the teams and this has been an entertaining, fast, hard hitting affair with both teams giving their all. Game #3 is scheduled for Wednesday in Devon (8:15), with games #4 and #5 both scheduled for Lacombe on Friday (8:00) and Saturday (8:30). Game #6 if necessary is scheduled for Thursday, March 28th in Devon (8:00) and game #7 if necessary will be back in Lacombe Saturday, March 30th (7:30).
Only 3 more wins to claim the Vanberg Cup. Be sure to get out and cheer for your favourite team, the season's rapidly coming to a close.
