Post by QC Mike on Apr 29, 2024 21:49:46 GMT -7
Final games of the season come down to Cremona playing for position and Quad Cities potentially sneaking into the playoffs or dropping down for a lottery pick. The atmosphere was tense inside the Quad Cities Qualcomm Quonset Hut to start the game but the Titans pressure slowly tilted the game flow in their favour. Jack Eichel snapped a shot past Alexander Georgiev at the six minute mark on a Cale Makar mistake and Mikko Rantanen doubled the lead off the ensuing face off as the visitors skated to the 2-0 lead after one. The second period saw Cale Makar go down holding his wrist inside the first minute of the second after a hit by Brady Tkachuk. A few minutes later Alexander Ovechkin stretched the lead to three when he wired one past Georgiev. David Pastrnak was the end recipient of a pretty passing play at 8:48 as Cremona extended the lead to four. Six minutes later it was Troy Terry's turn and the visitors went into the second intermission up a deserved 5-0. The third period saw Cremona come out hard and goals by Auston Matthews and David Pastrnak at the end of the first shift put paid to any thoughts of a come back as they now led by a converted touchdown. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins finally solved Jeremy Swayman at the twelve minute mark to break the shut out bid. Rasmus Dahlin stood up Charlie McAvoy a couple of minutes later as McAvoy attempted to join the rush. Matthews was then the beneficiary of a beautiful set up by Pastrnak before markers exchanged by Dylan Cozens and Ovechkin saw the Titans roll to an 8-2 victory.
Cremona 8 (14 chances on 41 shots) vs Quad Cities 2 (6 chances on 28 shots)
1. Swayman (CRT) - 2GA on 6 chances from 28 shots
2. Pastrnak (CRT) - 2G, 1A
3. Pesce (CRT) - 1 chance from 5 shots
Having been eliminated from playoff contention by their loss in the previous game all eyes were on the Quarrymen to see how they would react. Not well was the early indication. Mikko Rantanen staked the home side to two nothing lead in the opening 2:24 and it looked the visitors might fold like a cheap wallet. Teuvo Terravainen's stick broke giving Auston Matthews a glorious chance but Alexander Georgiev was able to beat it away. Nazim Kadri then showed some spine and his pushback goal at 6:48 showed that Quad Cities wasn't going to just roll over (as much as management might want with the chance to grab a lottery spot). Jack Eichel restored Cremona's two goal lead at the twelve minute mark. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins clawed one back at 17:36 but another Eichel marker in the last minute meant the Titans went into the first intermission up 4-2. Cremona won the opening face off to start the second but Quinn Hughes stick broke on his attempted cross ice pass with Cale Makar being the ultimate recipient as the lead was again narrowed to one. Just over six minutes later Shane Pinto converted on a feed from Makar and the teams were level at fours. Auston Matthews put Cremona back on top after eight minutes and it looked like it was going to stay that way but a last minute goal by RNH sent the teams into the locker rooms 5-5. Matthews completed his brace at 6:48 and although they pressed, Quad Cities weren't able to make much headwy. With Georgiev on the bench for an extra Attacker, Alex Ovechkin doubled the Tintans' lead with just over a minute remaining. Ovi's celebrations touched a nerve as off the ensuing face off, K'Andre Miller made sure to finish his check on the Russian. Rasmus Dahlin then took a run at RNH who had to be stretchered off the ice and rushed to hospital. Quad Cities GM Stephen Johns saying after the game, 7-5 Cremona, that QC hoped RNH was going to be ready to play by the start of next year.
Quad Cities 5 (10 chances on 39 shots( vs Cremona 7 (11 chances on 34 shots + 1EN)
1. Eichel (CRT) - 2G from 2 chances on 7 shots
2. Nugent-Hopkins (QCQ) - 2G from 2 chances on 6 shots
3. Matthews (CRT) - 2G, GWG, 3 chances from 3 shots
Quad Cities finishes 9-13
