Post by QC Mike on Jul 28, 2021 20:02:25 GMT -7
The Patriots paid their annual visit to the Qualcomm Quonset Hut looking to continue their surprisingly strong showing this season. The Quarrymen got off to a quick start and were carrying the play when Miles Wood caught Jamie Olksiak with a crushing hit on the forecheck that got the fan in Section G out of his seat. The Q-Men looked to build on this quick start when Tom Wilson received a double minor for high sticking. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was stoned on a glorious save by Connor Helleybuck. RNHd was going to pounce on the loose puck and Helleybuck in an effort to prevent the follow up was adjudged to have thrown his stick so a penalty shot was awarded. Nugent-Hopkins faked the shot and then beat Helleybuck five hole as the goalie moved across the crease to follow the move. Any chance at piling on the pressure and breaking open the game was lost when Ryan Strome was called for Goaltender interference shortly after RNH's goal.
The second period saw Belfast start on the power play after Jon Merrill was called for Delay Of Game while trying to kill the last few seconds of the first period when less than a minute into the frame Matthew Tkachuk and Barclay Goodrow had a spirited disagreement that saw both players taking a five minute break in the Box. The Patriots were carrying a slight edge in play when Connor Helleybuck went down on a save and didn't get back up. Igor Shesterkin's coming in seemed to spark his squad as Thomas Nosek beat Philip Grubauer with a wicked wrist shot less than a minute later. Nosek then gave the visitors the lead with two minutes remaining in the second on a nice set up by Jordan Greenway, Belfast carrying a 2-1 lead into the third..
The third period was fairly even, Quad Cities trying hard to get back into the game Nugent-Hopkins took a break out pass from Charlie McAvoy and beat Shesterkin high blocker side to even the score. Trying to build on that momentum, the Q-Men were pressing when Tom Wilson caught Kevin Fiala with a huge hit in open ice that saw Fiala having to be helped to the dressing room and any momentum the home side had was lost. 2-2 heading into overtime. Overtime didn't solve anything, even though the Patriots pulled their goalie a couple of times during a power play due to Troy Stecher being called for hooking.
Belfast 2 (7 on 45) vs Quad Cities 2 (7 on 37)
1. RNH - 2 goals
2. Nosek - 2 goals
3. Grubauer - 2 goals agains on 7 chances (45 shots)
