INDIANAPOLIS, Ind – Indiana holds the series lead at two games to one going into game four. With home ice for game for and a strong showing through the first three games, Indiana poses a serious threat to Green Bay’s playoff life.
Game four would be all about the power play. Of the eight goals scored by both teams, five would be scored via the extra man. With exceptional offensive special teams play including five power play goals and one empty net goal, evidence showed once again that this was a very tight defensive series. All three goalies (Green Bay has rotated goalies) played exceptional hockey to this point helping their teams to wins and giving them the opportunity to win tight games.
Indiana gambled with aggressive play in the first period. Max Cook and Loren Barron both received minors for holding and hooking midway through the opening period. The resulting Green Bay power plays became a 2-0 Gamblers lead at the first intermission. Ryan Furme scored the first goal and assisted on the second. The second goal was scored by William Rapuzzi who assisted on Fuurme’s goal. Also picking up assists in the first period for Green Bay were Michael Forney and David Makowski.
Trailing by two goals in the second period, the Ice would have Max Cook score early to put Indiana down by one at 1:15 into the first. Trailing 2-1 at the midway point, the Ice would put their power play to work for themselves. Reed Seckel would be penalized for Green Bay for tripping which would result in a Ben Albertson goal at 7:06. Seckel would once again find his way to the sin bin at 9:04 resulting in a Zach Golembiewski game winning power play goal at 10:16. Indiana would score the only other even strength goal at 16:02 when Grant Blakely would place the Ice up 4-2 at the second intermission.
Green Bay found their way to do or die by the opening of the third period in game four. Down by two goals and only having twenty minutes left to secure another day or next week’s tee time, the Gamblers were in a need to win situation. After a Sebastian Geoffrion hooking penalty, William Rapuzzi would score less than a minute later his second power play goal of the night. The power play goal would bring Green Bay within one through most of the third. As Green Bay fought for their playoff lives, the seconds counted down. Green Bay Goalie Steve Summerhays would score skate to the bench with a 1:20 left to give the Gamblers the extra attacker. The empty net gave Brett Bennett the opportunity for an outlet pass to Joe Hartman to score the final goal of the game.
The 5-3 win gave Indiana the series win at three games to one. The Ice clinched the East Division title giving them a chance at the Clark Cup in the finals against the Fargo Force. The best-of-five series will begin Friday, May 1, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana at 7:05. The Indiana Ice will have home ice through the Clark Cup Finals.
You may contact the author at: john.strathman@prohockeynews.com
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