Rideaus Take Game 2 in EOSHL Final

The North Dundas Rockets entered Smiths Falls with a 1-0 series lead over the Rideaus. The Rockets were undefeated in the playoffs with a perfect 9-0 record, while the Rideaus boasted a flawless 7-0 record on home ice.

The Rockets struck first at the 15:25 mark, with Jack Nevins scoring his second goal of the series and playoffs. However, the Rideaus quickly answered, tying the game at 11:42 with a goal by Devin Cobbold. As the first period neared its end, Tate Leeson, the Rideaus' leading goal scorer, rushed down the ice on a breakaway and slipped the puck through the legs of Rockets goaltender Matt Jenkins, scoring with just 0.7 seconds left to give the Rideaus a 2-1 lead.

In the second period, Mitchell Gibson tied the game for the Rockets at the 14:37 mark. Moments later, Shawn Moors scored his second goal of the series, briefly giving the Rockets a 3-2 lead. But just 1:07 later, Cobbold netted his second of the game, tying it at 3.

The third period was a tense battle, with the game tied for most of the time. Then, Rideaus Assistant Captain Eric Witzel scored to give his team a 4-3 lead. A late delay-of-game penalty by Rideaus' goalie Dallas Slack for pushing the net off put the Rockets on the power play with a 6-on-4 advantage. With goaltender Matt Jenkins pulled for the extra attacker, Michael McNamee scored the game-tying goal, forcing overtime.

In overtime, a similar penalty call was made against Jenkins for pushing the net off. With the Rideaus on the power play, Assistant Captain Nathan Slack scored the game-winning goal with assists from Captain, Brett Costello and Tate Leeson on the play.

The Smiths Falls crowd of over 1,000 fans went home happy. Dallas Slack of the Rideaus finished with 39 saves on 42 shots, while Matt Jenkins stopped 29 of 34 shots in the loss. Both teams were penalized 7 times, with a total of 14 penalties called throughout the game.

Game 3 will take place in Chesterville this Saturday, April 5, at 2:00 PM.