Jujhar Khaira
OKLAHOMA CITY – Okla. In a wild game on Wednesday, the Barons were able to spark the offence and score four power play goals, the most all season in a 60-minute regulation game. Oklahoma City got on the board first by a scored from Jujhar Khaira at 9:30 in the opening period. “I got my stick to the ice while driving to the net and [Darnel] Nurse just placed the puck on my stick,” said Khaira. Defenseman Darnel Nurse was playing his first game of the post-season, and earned the assist.
The Comets evened the score when a goal as awarded to Hunter Shinkaruk; the goal light never lit, and it was unclear is the puck crossed the goal line. However referee Terry Koharski ruled it was a goal. The second period ended with a second expired on a cross-checking penalty to Comets Defenseman Alex Biega.
The Barons went on the man advantage and scored on a two-on-one when Andrew
Andrew Miller
Miller scored a power-play goal a few minutes into the second period. Veterans Brad Hunt and Jason Williams assisted on the score. Utica answered back five minutes later when a rebound off the post which evened the score at two apiece on a power play goal from Sven Baertschi.
Mid-way thru the second period Barons defenseman Martin Marincin was leveled which created a two-on-zero in favor for Utica. The goal was announced as being scored by Alex Friesen, assists going to Travis Ehrhardt and Alex Biega. With a delay of game penalty at 12:58 to Jacob Markstorm for intentionally knocking the net off the moorings, the Barons had a man advantage. This opened the door for Oklahoma City to tie the game at thee apiece. Matt Ford’s shot entered the net just under the cross bar. Assisting on this power play goal were Hunt and Joshua Winquist.
The home team regained the lead with three minutes at when Khaira earned his second goal of the night with Nurse and Curtis Hamilton assisted on the goal. “Hammy was battling the boards. The puck popped out and deflected, Nurse got it to me on the tape,” said Khaira.
At 8:15 what were to be off-setting minors to Greg Chase and Brendan Gaunce resulted in an extra penalty to Utica’s Frank Corrado for slashing at the face-off, as he was “goated” by Nurse. This resulted on a five-on-four skater advantage for the Barons. A minute later Ryan Hamilton scored a power-play goal on a shot from the left wing circle. Assists going to defensemen Hunt and Jordan Osterle. This would be the game winning goal. “Special teams came through tonight. We had some quality chances on the power play and we had a couple of lucky bounces,” said Ryan Hamilton.
At 11:20 of the third period, the Barons scored their fourth powerplay goal of the game on a shot from defenseman Brandon Davidson. Newcomer Greg Chase and Osterle earned the assists. With six munities remaining the Comets pulled Jacob Markstrom for an extra skater. Curtis Hamilton was assessed a minor penalty at 5:12 giving the Comets their sixth power play opportunity of the game. The penalty time has expired by seven seconds when Gaunce scored from the slot to bring the score within 2 goals.
With 2:45 remaining in the game All Star defenseman Brad Hunt shot the puck from the left wing circle of the Barons defensive zone. The shot traveled 180-feet towards the Utica goal. The empty net goal was gave the Barons their seventh goal of the night. Nurse earned his third assist of the game. “I threw the puck to Brad Hunt. I knew it was going to go down the ice, however I didn’t know it was going to go in the net,” said Nurse.
Jujhar Khaira
“Anytime you get four goals on the power play, it is going to increase your chances of winning the hockey game,” said Coach Gerry Fleming. “Nurse played a solid game he was a factor in the game tonight. His play away from the puck was good and he was strong in front of his own net.”
Shots on goal for this game were 42 for Utica and 24 for Oklahoma City. The Comets were 1 for 6 on the power play while the Barons were 4 for 6. These two teams play Game #5 in Oklahoma City on Thursday evening.
contact the writer at gail.hamill@prohockeynews.com
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