Maulers conquer Mustangs in OT stunner

Tonight was the night for the boys. First off I would love to congratulate them on their plays tonight. They were outstanding! They fought through every single period, they were filled with passion, shifts were executed amazingly, and most of all they fought as brothers. The boys were hungry for a win and that is exactly what they got. Passes were tape-to-tape, all players were circling and keeping watchful eyes on the puck as well as team mates and the Mustangs players, the checks were bone-rattling but clean, and the core unit was amazingly strong. They really showed their passion and hunger for the game. They were with each other until the very end. Also shout out to tendy Mike McDaniel! He made some incredible saves that, at times, took my breath away. The Maulers played a nice and tight game ending in a 4-3 OT stunner. This may have been one of, if not the best, junior games this writer has ever been to. Great work, I am very proud of this team. They are hard workers and even better hockey players.

Forward #17 Jon Mencer started this scoring for this game. He netted one on a power play 7:09 into the first. The goal was assisted by Jimmy Peplinski and David Clements. This was the last goal scored in the first.

Swedish defenseman Henrik Ekestahl put the Mauleres on board 3 minutes and 7 seconds into the second period. This power play goal was assisted by Billy Bigham and Nikita Sheptytskyy. Niko Pukkila found his own opportunity to score at 4:32. Apples were given to Joey Porco and Mason Jones. Ogden fired back with two goals of their own. One was from the stick of Jimmy Peplinski 4 minutes and 10 seconds later with assists from David Clements and Dusty Watt. Forward #12 Dusy Watt lit the lamp for Ogden at 15:35. This power play goal was assisted by Jimmy Peplinski and David Clements. Fighting back, Derek Griffin put the Maulers back in the fight with a power play goal of his own at 18:24. He had help from Nikita Sheptytskyy and Anders Nord. Griffin's goal was the last of a fiery 2nd period.

There were no goals scored in the third period.

2 minutes and 2 seconds into the overtime, rookie forward Erich Jaeger scored an outstanding goal to lift the Maulers over the Mustangs and send Glacier Ice Rink into a frenzy of excitement. Apples were given to Anders Nord and Derek Griffin.

I chatted with Erich Jaeger, Michael Mcdaniel, and Nikita Sheptyskyy after the game and asked them what went through their heads during the game tonight or what their strategies were. Mike replied, "I just played my game, stuck to my game, and didn't let anything affect me. When they got a goal or scored one, I just let it go and moved on. Nikita responded, "I just played my best and made plays happen." Erich answered, "I had my line mates help for it. I mean they did all the work for me." Thanks boys and it was great to talk with all of you! There is one more game in the series on Saturday the 9th so make sure you don't miss it! There is going to be some great hockey played in this unforgettable game!

The team celebrating after their OT win

Statistics:

PENALTIES:

Period 1:

 Missoula Maulers - Matt Chamberlain (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 6:05

 Missoula Maulers - Corey Schafer (Elbowing) 2 Minutes, 13:59

 Ogden Mustangs - Seth Giles (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 15:05 

 Ogden Mustangs - Anthony Catalina (Tripping) 2 Minutes, 15:57

Period 2:

 Ogden Mustangs - Sean Haltam (Interference) 2 Minutes, 1:26

 Ogden Mustangs - Seth Giles (Hooking) 2 Minutes, 2:17

 Ogden Mustangs - Dusty Watt (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 4:43

 Ogden Mustangs - Tyler Underwood (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 4:43

 Missoula Maulers - Niko Pukkila (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 4:43

 Missoula Maulers - Corey Schafer (Roughing) 2 Minnutes, 4:43

 Ogden Mustangs - David Clements (Holding) 2 Minutes, 5:30

 Missoula Maulers - Erich Jaeger (Head Contact) 2 Minutes, 8:15

 Ogden Mustangs - Jimmy Peplinski (Head Contact) 2 Minutes, 11:23

 Missoula Maulers - Niko Pukkila (Tripping) 2 Minutes, 14:28

 Ogden Mustangs - David Clements (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 2 Minutes, 15:35

 Ogden Mustangs - Charlie Reed (Interference) 2 Minutes, 18:13

 Ogden Mustangs - Simon Teodorsson (Facemask) 2 Minutes, 19:54

 Missoula Maulers - Max Rebholz (Boarding) 2 Minutes, 19:54

 Missoula Maulers - Josh Chamberlain (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 19:54

 Ogden Mustangs - Seth Giles (Elbowing) 2 Minutes, 19:54

Period 3:

 Missoula Maulers - Corey Schafer (Interference) 2 Minutes, 1:40

 Ogden Mustangs - Jimmy Peplinski (Tripping) 2 Minutes, 2:34

 Missoula Maulers - Erich Jaeger (High Sticking) (Double Minor) 4 Minutes, 4:14

 Missoula Maulers - Max Rebholz (Tripping) 2 Minutes, 9:00

 Missoula Maulers - Tanner Todd (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 17:25

 Ogden Mustangs - Seth Giles (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 17:25

 Ogden Mustangs - Seth Giles (Fighting) (Removal of Equipment) (Major) 5 Minutes, 17:25

 Ogden Mustangs - Seth Giles (Removing Opponents Helmet) (Game Ejection) 10 Minutes, 17:25

 Ogden Mustangs - Seth Giles (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) (Misconduct) 10 Minutes, 17:25

Overtime:

 Ogden Mustangs - George Babos (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) (Misconduct) 10 Minutes, 2:02

 Ogden Mustangs - Craig Moore (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) (Misconduct) 10 Minutes, 2:02

SHOTS ON GOAL:

Missoula Maulers - 38 total

Ogden Mustangs -  39 total

POWER PLAYS:

Missoula Maulers - 3 for 10

Ogden Mustangs - 3 for 8

GOALTENDERS:

#30 Michael Mcdaniel for Missoula Maulers: 62:02 minutes played, 39 shots on goal 36 saves

#35 Tyler Fallica for Ogden Mustangs: 62:02 minutes played, 38 shots on goal 34 saves