The Vikings’ forward, Joey Larcher (20) slams one home after trailing 4-0 in the second period. The Tikis’ goalie, Jordan Yaremchuck and defenseman, Jared Elliott (2) watch, but can do little as the puck bulges the twine. The Vikings came back to tie the game in regulation but the Tikis squeaked out the victory in overtime 5-4. Moore photo
CASSELMAN—The Casselman Vikings played just a single game this past weekend as they welcomed the Richardson Division’s number one seed, the Brockville Tikis on Thursday night.
Tikis 5 Vikings 4 (SO)
The Casselman Vikings welcomed the Brockville Tikis to the J. R. Brisson Complex on Thurs., Jan 24, in the CCHL2. The Vikings sat in second place 14 points behind the league-leading Ottawa Jr. Canadians, and looked to close the gap prior to their meeting last night (Tues., Jan. 29).
The Tikis stunned the Vikings early with a shorthanded goal just 3:32 into the first period on a two on one. The Tikis made it 2-0 at 11:15 at even strength.
The Vikings allowed their second shorthanded goal of the game after losing the puck near their own net at 13:09. The Tikis added another goal with just 49 seconds remaining in the opener and took a 4-0 lead into the first intermission despite being outshot by the Vikings 13-8.
The Vikings scored the lone goal of the second period on a five-on-three power play as Joey Larcher crept in from the top of the circle ripping it blocker side for his third goal of the season from Shawn Patterson and Yanick Dicaire at 7:53. The Tikis took a 4-1 lead into the second intermission.
The Vikings cut the deficit in half when Evan Boucher scored his sixth of the season from Mathieu Talbot while shorthanded at 5:29 of the third period.
The Vikings closed the gap to one as Dicaire scored his sixth of the season from Joel Hunt at 13:19. The Vikings knotted the affair at four when Frederick Gagnier scored his 17th of the season from Louis Chabot and Antonio Silenu at 15:41.
Neither team was able to score the game winner before the end of regulation so the game headed to a five-minute three on three overtime period. The Vikings recorded two shots on goal but were unable to score the game winner.
The game then headed to a shootout. After the first five shooters, the Tikis’ Ryan Hunter scored, taking the game 5-4. The Vikings still picked up a single point and moved to within 13 points of the Canadians for top spot.
The Vikings outshot the Tikis 30-26. Suffering the loss in the Vikings’ goal was Nick Campbell making 22 saves.
Up next
The Casselman Vikings welcome the Alexandria Glens to the J. R. Brisson Complex on Thurs., Jan. 31, at 7:30 p.m. and travel to the Cobden Arena on Sat., Feb. 2, to take on the Whitewater Kings at 7:30 p.m.
