Trey Thomas made up for a couple of penalties in a big way by scoring the game winner of the BCMML semi-final series as the Cariboo Cougars edged the Vancouver Northwest Giants 2-1 in double-overtime on Sunday.
The Cougars won the series 2-1.
After a scoreless first period, the Cougars potted the only goal of the second period courtesy of Devin Sutton making it 1-0 after 40 minutes.
The goaltending dual between Beck Warm (Giants) and Dorrin Luding (Cougars) would continue until Carter Stephenson tied it up with five minutes remaining in the third period after getting the puck back after Cariboo forward Reid Perepeluk blocked the initial shot attempt.
The first ten minute overtime saw a few chances but the game remained deadlocked at 1-1.
In double overtime, Cariboo would get the winner after a turnover behind the net forced by Mason Richey who then passed it to Thomas who was alone in the slot and buried it low-glove past Warm.
Cougars Head Coach Trevor Sprague says the victory shoves it right back at all of the doubters. “For us it takes our critics and shuts them up. So anybody who wants to talk negative about this team isn’t very smart.”
Cariboo will head to the Lower Mainland to play the Valley West Hawks in the best of 3 BCMML final March 18th to 20th.
The Hawks beat the Okanagan Rockets 6-4 in the third and deciding game of that semi.
However, according to Sprague he had no preference on an opponent whether it was the Hawks or Okanagan Rockets. “We will give them hell. Give us whoever you want.”
Cougars Forward Trey Thomas says he couldn’t have been more pleased to have the game winner come off his stick. “It’s a great feeling, we battled hard the first overtime and to get the winner nice and early was nice.”
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