The Jamestown Ironmen won Saturday night in dramatic fashion with a 4-3 shootout victory over the Michigan Warriors in North American Hockey League play at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena.
This one certainly went down to the wire as Jamestown trailed 3-2 deep into the third period. With time winding down, the Ironmen pulled their goalie and added an extra attacker, a move that paid off. Jamestown forward, Evan Ritt scored with less than 30 seconds left to tie the score and send the game into overtime.
The four-on-four overtime period was scoreless and the game then shifted to a shootout. The Ironmen took the shootout as Ritt, Ross Pavek and Tyler Dunagan each converted for the home team while Ironmen goaltender, Reid Mimmack only allowed one score.
Article Photos
Huba Sekesi of the Jamestown Ironmen looks to gain control of the puck as Michigan goaltender Michael Pesendorfer sprawls on the ice during Saturday’s North American Hockey League game at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena. See additional photos at cu.post-journal.com.
P-J photo by Valory S. Isaacson
"It's great to earn four points on the weekend," said Ironmen head coach Dan Daikawa when asked about his team's two-game sweep of Michigan. "We didn't play our best hockey and got away from our game plan at times, but we got lucky tonight in the end and we are fortunate to come out with the win."
The Warriors (3-14-1) are in last place in the NAHL North Division, yet played a very close two games against the first-place Ironmen this weekend. Michigan's performance confirms that the North Division is highly competitive from top to bottom.
Jamestown outshot its opponent, 37-29 and received the other two regulation goals from Huba Sekesi in the first period and Dunagan8:47 into the third. Assists were credited to Luc Gerdes (two), Dylan Zink, Pavek and Michael Mazzotta. Mimmack made 26 saves between the pipes for the Ironmen en route to his 10th win of the season.
With the win, Jamestown completed its fourth weekend sweep of the season and improved its record to 13-3-2 on the season. The Ironmen enjoyed their victory as the players skated around with young fans following the game. The team is set for another homestand this weekend as the Janesville Jets (7-8-2) travel to Jamestown. Games are set for Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 5 p.m.