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Photo Credit: Shaw Houslander
Coming off a dominant 3-1 win in Game Two on Sunday, February 23rd at the John Rhodes Centre, the CASS Huskies were eager to build on their momentum as they faced the Korah Colts in Game Three of their Sault Ste. Marie High School Hockey League series. With the series tied at 1-1, the Huskies took to the ice at the Northern Community Centre on Tuesday, February 25th, hoping to seize control of the best-of-five series.
The game got off to a fast start, and it didn’t take long for the Huskies to break the deadlock. At 13:19 of the first period, CASS forward Brody Kleist fired a shot past Korah goaltender Payton Melchiorre to put the Huskies ahead 1-0. Mika Chong picked up the lone assist on Kleist’s sixth goal of the postseason.
The Colts responded quickly while on the power play. At 3:41 of the first, Korah’s Colton Greene tied the game at 1-1 with a sharp shot that beat Huskies’ netminder Cash Rowswell. Greene’s second goal of the playoffs was assisted by Preston Miller and Dae Wood. Just 36 seconds after Greene’s goal, Korah struck again. Griffin Albert found the back of the net for his first postseason goal, giving the Colts a 2-1 lead. Dae Wood earned his second point of the game, registering the assist on Albert’s goal.
Korah extended their lead further in the second period. At 13:22, Koen Manchulenko scored his sixth goal of the playoffs, bringing the Colts’ lead to 3-1. Tyler Lang picked up the assist on the goal, which looked to give Korah a commanding advantage.
However, the Huskies weren’t done yet. With the Colts’ penalty kill on the ice, Mika Chong capitalized on a power play opportunity to pull CASS within one goal at 3-2. Chong’s first goal of the postseason was set up by teammate Hayden Wells.
The Huskies’ comeback efforts continued in the third period. Just 12 seconds after the midway mark, Hayden Wells tied the game at 3-3 with his second goal of the postseason. Austin Finlayson picked up the assist on Wells’ clutch goal, ensuring the game would go into extra time.
In overtime, it was Brody Kleist who emerged as the hero once again. Just 46 seconds into the second overtime period, Kleist found the back of Korah’s net to seal a dramatic 4-3 victory for the Huskies. Dom Corbett and Gabe Stewart assisted on Kleist’s game-winning goal.
With the win, the Huskies now lead the series 2-1, and they are one game away from advancing to the next round. The next contest in the Sault Ste. Marie High School Hockey League postseason will take place on Wednesday, February 26th, at 3:30 p.m. at the John Rhodes Centre. Game Four will be broadcast on Saultsports TV and True North Radio.
Fans can expect another thrilling matchup as the Huskies look to close out the series and secure their spot at the 2025 NOSSA Championships.
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