Tonight's contest marks the end of the Buffalo River Outdoor
Classic for the Novi FireCats, as they play the hometown Buffalo
Regals in the consolation game. Things started out looking
positive for the FireCats, as they scored the games opening goal
just over a minute into the game. Alas, the lead didn't last long,
as the Regals fought back and scored one of their own less than
three minutes later. It looked as though the first period would end
in a tie, but a late rush by the Regals resulted in a second goal in
the period, giving them a 2-1 lead heading into the second.
The FireCats weren't deterred by the deficit, though, as they
once again scored quickly in the period, tying the game at 2 goals
apiece 15 seconds in. They would retake the lead less than two
minutes later with another goal, making the score 3-2. The remainder
of the period would be a back and forth affair, but neither team was
able to score again. We would head to the final 15 minutes of action
with the FireCats ahead by a single goal.
Similar to the latter half of the second, the majority of the
third period saw the two teams trading scoring chances up and down
the ice, but failing to score. With less than two minutes remaining,
the FireCats found themselves in a tie once again, as the Regals
scored to tie up the game at three goals apiece at the 1:36 mark. It
seemed as though the game would end that way, but a Regals shot
found it's way through the crease and into the net with only 1.2
seconds on the clock, sending the FireCats to a literal last second
defeat.
It was a tough weekend of hockey for the FireCats, but a great
experience in Buffalo nonetheless. Here's hoping that this weekend
will spur on better things when they return home and resume the
regular season. Go FireCats! |