The Walkerton Capitals would play its third game of the 2024
playoffs on February 27, 2024. The
Saugeen Valley Steelheads would be in town and it would be another exciting
game for those in attendance to watch.
Walkerton would open the scoring just over two minutes into
the first period when Marshall Odell scored from off at the side of the net
with a low shot stick side. Assisting on
the play were Spencer Odell and Niklas Howald.
The two teams would battle back and forth with each team having decent
scoring opportunities. The Steelheads
would tie the game just passed the midway point of the period. The Capitals would pull ahead again while on
the power play. Goaltender Owen Waddell
would pick up an assist after Luka Abell went end to end before deking the Steelheads
goalie before scoring into the open portion of the net. Just over a minute later Walkerton would
score again when Marshall Odell would record his second of the game after
taking a cross ice pass from Chase Kaufman along the boards and firing a wrist
shot into the top corner. Chase and
Duncan Abell would be credited with assist on the play. Saugeen Valley would not back down and a late
goal in the final minute would have them right back in the game trailing by a
single goal at the end of the first period.
Walkerton would hold a narrow 3-2 lead.
The second period and the play was back and forth with each
team pressing and having some really good scoring opportunities. Jasper Rowe would
take a pass from Duncan Abell and would go in on a break away and deke the
Saugeen netminder before finding the back of the net while the Capitals were
short handed. The second period would
end with Walkerton holding a 4-2 lead.
The third period would see the two sides continue to play at
a torrid pace. The goalies would each
make some outstanding saves and the ability to cover rebounds and track the
puck made for entertaining hockey. With
Walkerton talking several late penalties Saugeen Valley would pull its goalie
for an extra attacker but the Walkerton players would clear its zone on several
occasions and hit two goal posts but would be unable to hit the open net. The Capitals would win 4-2 in a very close
hard fought game.
The Capitals would win and pick up another valuable two
points. Great puck movement, strong
goaltending and a solid penalty kill were all keys for this victory.
WALKERTON CAPITALS - 4
SAUGEEN VALLEY STEELHEADS - 2