QUEBEC CITY P.Q. — The Calgary Hitmen scored four third period’s goals for a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over the Moncton Wildcats in Game Two of 2010 Memorial Cup Tournament. Moncton played very well for the first half of the game taking a 3-0 lead over the Western League champion scoring one goal in first period and two in the second, before Calgary got on the board 1:08 remaining in the second period.
If anyone had any doubts about the Moncton Wildcats at the 2010 Memorial Cup Tournament, the first period should gave a very good indication of what fans can expect from the QMJHL champions after playing an excellent first period.
One name that could become very popular in the tournament is Martin Jones, the Calgary goaltender who was beaten once on 13 Wildcats shots in the opening period. The Vancouver B.C native kept the Hitmen in the game and kept the Quebec Hockey League representatives from scoring more than once in the first twenty minutes of play.
Devon MacAusland was the only one to beat the Calgary goaltender with a shot that went over Jones’ shoulder 9:53 into the first period. The Wildcats dominated the shots on goal department 13-3 after one period.
Needing to make adjustment in order to find their game, the Hitmen came back and put more pressure on Moncton in hopes of forcing some errors. As well as Jones did in the first period, Nicola Riopel answered the bell by making some key saves to preventing the WHL champions from being on the scoreboard.
The Wildcats didn’t panic and played soundly in their own zone by making short passes in order to re-launch their offensive. Moncton defenseman David Savard added to the Wildcats lead with a wrist shot that beating the Calgary netminder five hole at 7:42.
A penalty to Moncton defenseman Mark Barberio for roughing gave the Hitmen a chance to find a spark with the man advantage, but they were unable to beat Riopel who played the first half of the regular season with the Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL).
An undisciplined penalty by Calgary right winger Ian Schultz gave Moncton another chance to add to their two goal lead, but Calgary successfully killed off the penalty.
The game became quite nasty as the game went along with the Hitmen showing some frustration with some dirty shots after the whistle.
Moncton added their third goal with less than eight minutes to go in the second period when Moncton center Alex Saulnier Coming from behind the goal to beat the Hitmen goaltender with a wrist shot that fond a tiny hole between Jones left pad and the post.
Showing a ton of patience, Hitmen right winger Tyler Fiddler beat Riopel short side for Calgary’s first goal of the game with 1:08 remaining in the second period with the Wildcats still led by two 3-1 after two.
Joel Broda, the Washington Capitals fifth round pick in 2008, fired a wrist a shot to beat Riopel and make the game 3-2 3:08 into the third period. Moncton regained their two goal lead with a power play goal, Saulnier’s second of the afternoon. The Hitmen would score two goals 2:14 apart to tie the game at 4-4. Broda scored his second of the game on the power play at 14:15 of third period and left winger Kris Foucaux scored at 16:29 to bring both teams back to square one.
A bad bounce off the boards led Calgary to the game winning goal, scored by right winger Tyler Shattock, with 1:18 remaining in the game. Moncton defenseman Savard was unable to control the puck and it took a strange bounce off the boards. Jimmy Bubnick got the puck and made a beautiful pass to Shattock who beat Riopel at 18:42 for the game winning goal.
Shots on goals:
Calgary Hitmen: 3-11-13-27
Moncton Wildcats: 13-15-10 38
Goaltenders:
Calgary Hitmen: Martin Jones 38 shots 34 saves
Moncton Wildcats: Nicola Riopel 27 shots 22 saves
Power plays:
Calgary: 1-3
Moncton: 1-3
Three stars selections:
First: CAL Joel Broda
Second: MON Alex Saulnier
Third: CAL Tyler Shattock
Contact the author at: serge.poulin@prohockeynews.com
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