GREECE TOPS HILTON IN OVERTIME THRILLER
Jan 21, 2022What began as a seemingly uneventful matchup between the Greece Storm and Hilton Cadets quickly escalated into a beyond-regulation thriller as Aidan Candalari broke a 1-1 deadlock 2:20 into overtime with a shorthanded game-winner to cap a stirring 2-1 come-from-behind win for the Storm at Lakeshore Ice Arena.
It was the team’s second straight overtime win following their 4-3 victory over Fairport back on Dec. 21 in its final game heading into the annual Christmas break.
The first period featured a goaltending duel between Hilton’s Aiden Hill and Greece’s Kaden Fioreca as both netminders made timely saves for their respective teams despite several scoring chances for each side. Hilton nearly took a 1-0 lead early on, but Dom Goodenow’s shot rang off the post with 11:24 remaining in the first period, which would end scoreless and the Storm holding a slight advantage in shots.
As the second period ensued, however, the rivalry between both teams soon became a factor, which led to the Storm and Cadets being whistled for separate infractions 27 seconds apart. With the teams skating 4-on-4 for the next 1:33, Hilton ended the stalemate as Goodenow found nothing but net this time to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Greece pushed to find the equalizer for the duration of the middle frame, but the stingy defense of Hilton and more timely saves from Hill allowed the Cadets to weather the Storm.
WATCH: GAME HIGHLIGHTS
The third period, though, proved to be the turning point. Despite Hilton carrying the momentum through each of the first two periods, the Storm’s tenacious style of play finally broke through with Landon Howell solving Hill just 45 second into the third period to make it a 1-1 game.
A hooking penalty to Hilton’s Michael Borelli nearly three minutes after the tying goal put Greece in position to potentially take the lead, but the Storm were unable to generate anything offensively on the ensuing power-play opportunity.
The goaltending battle resumed for the remainder of the final frame highlighted by a stellar effort from Fioreca in the final minutes of regulation with Hilton on its final power-play opportunity of the night.
After neither team could capitalize on the man-advantage in the third, overtime was needed to determine a winner.
Hilton dominated the opening two minutes beyond regulation with back-to-back scoring chances and another attempt that was denied by the post. As the Cadets began to build momentum, Howell, who’s game-tying goal ultimately forced overtime, took a five-minute major for boarding 2:18 into overtime.
Just 11 seconds later on the ensuing shift, however, the Cadets would mishandle the puck as they began their extended power-play and the resulting turnover proved costly.
Josh Kimble gathered a loose puck following a turnover at his own blueline and entered the Hilton zone on a 2-on-1 odd-man rush. With no passing lane available, Kimble fired a shot that was turned away by Hill, but the rebound made its way to Candalari, who swept it past the outstretched leg of the goaltender for the shorthanded game-winner.