Post by QC Mike on May 15, 2022 15:23:10 GMT -7
Quad Cities made their first post COVID trip into Brandon to take on the Moose. Quad Cities were on the knife edge as to which way their season would go. A late season push could see them make the playoffs while a collapse might get them into the lottery. And like their murky future, the game started off without any real direction. The first period was a listless, even affair that saw neither side put their opponents under any real pressure, ending 0-0. The second saw the Q-Men get their legs under them a little more with Ivan Provorov being denied by an outstanding glove save from Freddie Andersen. Approximately eight minutes later Miles Wood finally gave the visitors something to cheer when Cale Makar sprung him for an open look and his wrister beat Andersen to give the visitors the 1-0 lead. The third saw things open up a little as Brandon pressed to get an equalizer when Kevin Fiala doubled the Quarrymen's lead. The Moose continued to press but they were never able to put Alexander Georgiev under any pressure and the visitors went home with a 2-0 win.
Quad Cities 2 (4 chances on 32 shots) vs Brandon 0 (0 chances on 27 shots)
1. Wood (QCQ): GWG, 1G
2. Georgiev (QCQ): Shutout, Win, 27 saves (0 chances)
3. Fiala (QCQ): 1G, 5 shots
The return match at the Quad Cities Qualcomm Quonset Hut saw the Q-Men continues to keep the Moose on lockdown only surrendering 4 shots in the first with none of those of any quality. Even Tanner Pearson's penalty shot at 17:36 didn't really trouble Georgiev. The Quarrymen pressed and were able to generate a couple of chances but were unable to beat Jake Oettinger. 0-0 after one. The second saw Brandon push back and actually took a slight edge in play but neither sidewas able to put one on the board. Oettinger denying Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on a breakaway midway through the second. The third period was much the same until with less than five minutes remaining and Claude Giroux off for hooking, Jeff Skinner picked up a lazy clearing effort and snapped one past Georgiev giving the visitors the 1-0 lead. Although the Q-Men tried to put on the pressure they were unable to put on any pressure and a holding penalty by Nugent-Hopkins late in the frame as Georgiev left the ice for an extra attacker sealed the deal. Brandon taking the rematch by a 1-0 score. Assistant Stephen Johns commented after the game that series was kind of like kissing your sister - wasn't going to get you anywhere.
Brandon 1 (2 on 23 shots) vs Quad Cities 0 (3 on 26)
1. Oettinger (BRM): Shutout, Winner, 26 saves (3 chances)
2. Skinner (BRM): GWG, 1G
3. Georgiev (QCQ): saved 22 of 23 (2 chances)