Natives fall in OT to Wolverines

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Published on Wednesday, February 10, 2016

By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

The Neepawa Natives had an opportunity to help out its own cause on Tuesday, Dec. 9, as the club hit the ice against the team they’re chasing for the final playoff spot in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.

Despite an incredible third period effort to send the game into overtime, the Natives would fall 4-3.

Neepawa found itself trailing by a 3-0 margin after two periods, but refused to give up on the game. Justin Metcalf scored on a power play just 18 seconds into the third. A few minutes later, Reigan Buchanan added another to give Neepawa an opportunity to earn some much needed points. Then at 11:20 of the third, the dramatic comeback was nearly complete, as Jordan Martin notched his seventh goal of the season, to tie the game up at 3-3. Both teams pressed hard to secure another goal before the end of regulation, but goaltenders Jeremy Link and Troy Martyniuk shut down any hopes of a late period winner.

In overtime, Waywayseecappo earned itself the extra point in the standings, as defenseman Nathan Peabody scored his first of the season two minutes into play. 

Although Neepawa did secure a single point for the OT loss, Wayway’s win earned them a pair, allowing them to increase their lead over the Natives for the final MJHL playoff spot by 10 points. 

With 10 games remaining in the regular season Neepawa is still mathematically in the playoff picture, though the team will need to win over half of its remaining games and hope for an extended losing streak in Waywayseecappo. The next home game for the Neepawa Natives is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 12, versus the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. Opening face-off is set for 7:30 pm at the Yellowhead Centre.