The Frontier Division’s No.1 seeded Sheridan Hawks kicked off the NA3HL Fraser Cup playoffs strong, taking down the Frontier’s No. 4 seeded Badlands Sabres in a come-from-behind 3-2 win.
Sheridan trailed entering the third period, but a strong final frame in which the Hawks largely outshot Badlands 15-6 and scored two quick goals late propelled them to the postseason victory.
The Hawks take Game 1 of the best-of-three set with Badlands with the win and are now just one win away from advancing to the Frontier Division Final.
Both Sheridan and Badlands brought their A-game to start the postseason as neither side allowed a goal in the opening frame. The Hawks held the shots advantage in the period at 11-6.
The scoring started with just over seven minutes to go in the middle period. Badlands’ Dayton Niedert scored via the power play to put the Sabres ahead 1-0.
Sheridan had a response just 3:09 later. Elijah Faris notched his first tally of the postseason to knot the score back at one goal apiece.
Niedert fired right back for the Sabres. He scored his second goal of the game and postseason just 26 seconds later to send Badlands to the third period leading 2-1.
The Hawks flexed their No.1 seed prowess in the third period. Deagan Watson tied the game with 7:19 to go in the game with his first marker of the playoffs.
Just 44 seconds later, Jeff Slivon gave Sheridan its first lead of the night with a power-play goal. His first goal of the postseason flipped the game on its head with just 6:33 to go.
The Sabres pressed for the late-game equalizer, but Sheridan goaltender TJ Wonnacott and the rest of the Hawks’ defense stood tall to seal the 3-2 win and 1-0 series lead.
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Courtesy of Alex Crowe NA3HL