The Vikings’ forward, Nicolas Chartrand battles for the puck with the Golden Knights’ defenseman, Justin Graham (6) in front of goalie, Brent Pledge-Dickson. The Vikings’ crafty forward picked up an assist just seconds later tying the game at three early in the second period. The Vikings went on to take the game 6-5. Moore photo

CASSELMAN—The Casselman Vikings played their final game of the season against the Golden Knights on Tuesday night without knowing it would be their last. The Vikings hosted the Golden Knights and returned the favour on Thursday night but while at the Barbara Ann Scott Arena they received news that Hockey Canada had suspended all minor hockey due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Vikings 6 Golden Knights 5

The Casselman Vikings welcomed the Ottawa West Golden Knights to the J. R. Brisson Complex on Tues., March 10, for game two of the best-of-seven CCHL2 Martin Division semi-final. The Golden Knights took the first game with a 2-1 victory as the Vikings looked to even the series heading back to Ottawa. 

The Golden Knights opened the scoring when Keon Troccoli-Roik scored his first of the post-season from Clay Byers at 4:05 of the first period taking a 1-0 lead. The Vikings knotted the affair at one as Adam Paquette snuck in off the blue line and finessed one past the Golden Knights’ goalie for his first of the playoffs from Xavier Léveillé on the power play at 11:26. 

Léveillé gave the Vikings their first lead of the game scoring his third of the post-season from Brendon Watson on the power play at 14:32. The Golden Knights tied the game for a second time as Nicholas McFarlane scored his first of the playoffs from Sean Kearns with just 43 seconds remaining in the opening frame. The teams took a two-all draw into the first intermission.

The Vikings retook the lead as Léveillé scored his second of the game and third of the post-season from Alexandre Charlebois and Nicolas Chartrand at 10:34 on the power play. 

The Vikings took a two-goal lead when Mathieu Talbot snapped home for his first of the post-season from François Drouin at 11:58. The Golden Knights got back to within one as Sam Edwards scored his first of the playoffs from Sam Brown and Jack Haymes on the power play at 13:53. 

The Golden Knights tied the game again when Troccoli-Roik scored his second of the game and post-season from Brown and Haymes on the power play with 1:21 remaining in the middle frame. The Vikings retook the lead when Talbot scored his second of the game and post-season with just 13 seconds remaining from affiliated player Brennan Atkins. The Vikings took a 5-4 lead into the second intermission. 

The Golden Knights tied the game as Byers scored his second of the playoffs from Troccoli-Roik at 4:36. As the game looked to be heading to overtime for the second game in a row, the Vikings’ Frédérick Gagnier ripped home his second of the post-season with just 15 seconds remaining from Samuel Labre and Zachary Fournier. 

The Golden Knights had no time remaining to pull their goalie as the Vikings hung on for a 6-5 victory. With the win, the Vikings evened the series at one game apiece. The Vikings outshot the Golden Knights 37-32. 

Picking up the win in the Vikings’ goal was Nicholas Campbell, making 32 saves and suffering the loss in the Golden Knights’ goal was Brent Pledge-Dickson, making 31 saves.

Up next

Unfortunately, Hockey Eastern Ontario and Hockey Canada have cancelled the rest of the season as of Thurs., March 12. There will be no more hockey for the remainder of the season due to fears of COVID-19.