The Cobourg Kodiaks kept their playoff hopes alive with a 9-8 overtime win over the Brampton Excelsiors Thursday night.
The Kodiaks went into Brampton on a eight game losing streak after going 5-1 in their first six games.
Cobourg started the game quickly jumping out to a 3-0 lead only to allow Brampton back into the game. After the 1st period Cobourg led 4-3.
The second period was another close defensive battle with Cobourg leading 8-5 going into the second intermission. The third period saw the Kodiaks get into serious penalty trouble and spent half the period in the penalty box. This allowed the Excelsiors to claw back and tie the game up 8-8 with less than five minutes to go.
Cobourg was called for too many men giving Brampton a penalty shot which was taken by Jeff Teat. Kodiaks goalie, Kevin Orleman, who had been stellar all game, was up to the task and made a brilliant save to force the game into overtime.
In Major Series Lacrosse, teams play a full ten minute overtime. Less than 2 minutes into OT, Kodiaks defender, Doug Utting was crosschecked in the face giving Cobourg a power play. Cam Milligan took a pass from Dan Lomas and fired a shot past Excelsiors goalie Nolan Clayton giving Cobourg a 9-8 lead. The Kodiaks buckled down on defence and shutout the Excelsiors in OT to earn the victory.
With the win, Cobourg improved to 6-9 giving them 12 points on the 2019 season. They currently sit in 5th place, only 2 points behind the Oakville Rock with three games remaining.
The Kodiaks return home on Sunday July 21st vs Six Nations Chiefs. It’s Fan Appreciation Night and fans are invited to meet players on the floor after the game for autographs. Tickets will be available at the door
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
