Brad Hunt
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Thursday night’s game was a defensive showcase with both goaltenders: Jacob Markstrom and Richard Bachman, playing well. The Barons loss results in Utica taking the lead in the best-of-seven game series in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.
The visitors scored first at 12:13 of the first period, on a rebound shot which sailed over a downed Bachman. This goal was scored by Wacey Hamilton, his first of the post season. Assisting were defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti and rookie Brendan Gaunce. Unlike the previous evening, zero penalties were assessed in the opening period.
The visitors went ahead by two goals at four minutes into the second period. Peter Andersson scored his first goal of the post-season, from the top of the left wing circle on a walk in; Alex Friesen and Nicklas Jensen assisted on the score.
“Our execution was a little bit off tonight, which resulted in turnovers and scoring opportunities for them,” said Barons Coach Gerry Fleming.
With 14 minutes expired in the second period, a rush to the net by 5’9” centerman Connor Jones, resulted in him landing in the Comets net. The 6’6” Markstrom blocked his entrance from the net. At the stoppage of play (to assess a minor penalty to Utica) Jones was able to return to the bench. This was the first power play opportunity for the Barons of the evening; however they were unable to capitalize.
Oklahoma City was able to hold off Utica mid-way through the third period, when Brad Winchester was given a boarding penalty. The 12th place power play for the Comets was not able to generate a power play goal.
During the second and third periods, Fleming was double shifting certain players. Andrew Miller, Jujhar Khaira and Captain Ryan Hamilton saw more ice time. “They are proven scorers that try to generate offensively,” said Fleming.
With three minutes remaining in the third period, the Barons earned their second power play opportunity when Jensen was whistled for holding. Oklahoma City pulled their goaltender for an extra skater on the power play. Skating six on four, the Barons were able to score a goal and ruin a shut-out bid for Markstrom.
All Star Defenseman Brad Hunt scored on a powerful slap shot from the blue line to get the Barons on the board. Assisting on the score were centerman Jujhar Khaira and Brandon Davidson. “He [Hunt] is the guy we want to have on the puck, he has a hard shot and does a great job of getting open,” said Davison. This was Hunt’s second goal in two nights.
“I thought the third period was great! I wish we played the whole game like that,” said Hunt. “We just have to play with confidence. Get it to the net and good things will happen.”
In hopes of tying the game, the Barons opted for an extra skater, as goaltender remained on the bench. An empty net goal was scored with 16 seconds remaining in the game. Alex Grenier got around the Barons defense to shoot the puck towards the goal. The final score was Barons 1, Comets 3. “It was tough to let this one slip by tonight,” said Brandon Davidson.
Bachman stopped 29 of 31 shots; Markstrom stopped 32 of 33 shots. The shots on goal were fairly even for this game unlike the previous games. Utica has outshot OKC in eight of the last nine period of play.
The Barons penalty kill remained the best in the league, as did the power play. “Those are good signs, and we will build off those positives to take it to Utica for game six,” said Fleming. “This team has had the most come from behind victories all season.”
Ryan Hamilton
Barons have depended on different players for game-winning goals in this series: Curtis Hamilton scoring the GW in Utica in game one, while Captain Ryan Hamilton with the fifth goal of the high scoring game in OKC on Wednesday evening. Other Baron players with game-winning goals in the post season include: rookies Jujhar Khaira and Connor Jones.
Comets players with game-winning goals in the post season include: Alex Grenier, Bobby Sanguinetti, Darren Archibald and rookies Brendan Gaunce and Mike Zalewski, with Grenier, Zalewski and Anderson scoring game-winners in this series.
Oklahoma City won Games 1 and 4, while Utica won Games 2, 3 and 5. Both teams have won on the road.
Should the Comets win the series, the Barons will be eliminated and hockey will cease in Oklahoma City. The decision to move the team elsewhere was announced in December 2014.
contact the author at gail.hamill@prohockeynews.com
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