The Walkerton Capitals would play it’s first game of the playoff round against
the AEMHA Ice Dogs on Feb 12, 2020. Walkerton would find itself in the Maroon
Division playing with the top teams based on the regular season standings. The
game would a tight, evenly contested battle that would require extra time before
one team would come out on top.
The game played in Paisley would open the 2020 playoff round and would start with great action from each team, with action from the opening faceoff. Throughout the first period the teams would battle back and forth up and down the ice. It would be the two goalies who put on a show with some great saves to keep the game scoreless throughout the first period.
Early in the second period the Ice Dogs would open the scoring only to have Walkerton respond 30 seconds later when Jacob Gridler fired a shot from just at the top of the faceoff circle that beat the Arran–Eldersile netminder, Cayleb Pietz would be credited with the assist on the play. Again the play would be continuous and at a great pace as the game continued. Walkerton would take the lead when Ryan Graul would bury a centering pass at the side of the net, assisted by Connor Farrell and Xander Thronton with just over 4 minutes remaining in the period. The Ice Dogs would tie the game with 1:21 left in the period while on the power play and the teams would head to the locker room knotted in a 2-2 tie.
After the flood the teams would hit the ice with more of the same back and forth action that was so evident in the first two periods. Arran Elderslie would score 2 goals 30 seconds apart mid way through the period and jump out to a 4-2 lead. The Capitals refused to give up and pulled back within a goal when Cayleb Pietz scored after going stick side on the Arran-Elderside goalie with just over 4 minutes remaining. Walkerton would keep the pressure on the Ice Dogs net and would come close in the final few minutes. The Capitals would pull the goalie with just under 2 minutes remaining in the game and pass the puck around with precision and fire from all over the area in front. The Capitals would call a time out, and get the 6 players on the ice a brief breather before heading out for the final 30 seconds. After winning the faceoff deep in the Ice dogs end Walkerton moved the puck around and would be rewarded when Tyler Wallace passed the puck back to the blue line where Xander Thronton sent a cross ice past to Jacob Gridler who unleashed a slap shot that found the back of the net with 15 seconds remaining.
The game would need overtime to decide the winner in this one, 10 additional minutes or a goal whichever came first. The action didn’t let up and both goalies were outstanding making key saves again and again. The game would be decided with 2:45 left in the extra frame when Cayleb Pietz took the puck from center ice and fought off a defender before tucking the puck past the goalie for the OT winner and being surrounded by team mates at his own blue line. An outstanding game played well by both teams. The Capitals start the playoff push with a tough come from behind victory.