The Vikings’ forward, Xavier Léveillé (24) uncorks a shot that beat the Golden Knights’ goalie, Brent Pledge-Dickson in the first period giving the Vikings a 1-0 lead. The Vikings held the 1-0 lead until late in the third when the Golden Knights tied the game and later went on to win the game 2-1 in double overtime. Moore photo
OTTAWA—The Casselman Vikings played a pair of playoff games this past week as they travelled to Winchester on Wednesday for game two of the CCHL2 wildcard playoff and to Ottawa on Monday night to take on the Golden Knights in game one of the CCHL2 Martin Division semifinal.
Golden Knights 2 Vikings 1 (2OT)
The Casselman Vikings travelled to the Barbara Ann Scott Arena in Ottawa on Mon., March 9, to take on the Ottawa West Golden Knights for game one of the best-of-seven CCHL2 Martin Division semifinal. The Vikings defeated the Winchester Hawks in the CCHL2 wildcard playoff in two straight games earning the right to take on the Golden Knights.
The Golden Knights finished the regular season first place in the Martin Division and the league overall, therefore they own home ice advantage as far as they can go in the playoffs.
The Vikings opened the scoring at 17:05 as Xavier Léveillé scored his first goal of the post-season from Frédérick Gagnier and Mathieu Talbot and took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. The teams battled to a scoreless second period with the Vikings narrowly outshooting the Golden Knights 9-8. The Vikings carried the 1-0 lead into the second intermission.
The Golden Knights tied the game at 12:03 of the third period. Neither team was able to score before time expired so the game headed to a sudden-death 10-minute overtime period. The Vikings outshot the Golden Knights 5-4 in the first overtime but neither team was able to end the game.
The game then headed to a second overtime frame, this one 20 minutes sudden death. At 5:33 of the second overtime period, the Golden Knights ended it as Jack Haymes scored from his brother, Noah Haymes.
The Golden Knights took the game 2-1 and a 1-0 series lead. The shots on goal were even at 40 each. Suffering the loss in the Vikings’ goal was Nicholas Campbell making 38 saves.
Up next
The Casselman Vikings travel to the Barbara Ann Scott Arena on Thurs., March 12 to take on the Ottawa West Golden Knights for game three of the best-of-seven CCHL2 Martin Division semifinal at 7:20 p.m., welcome the Golden Knights to the J. R. Brisson Complex on Sun., March 15, for game four at 7:30 p.m. and travel back to Ottawa on Mon., March 16 at 7:20 p.m. for game five.
