ESTEVAN - The Estevan Great North U18 AAA Bears picked up their first postseason win in franchise history in dramatic fashion.
Thomas Ries skated in from the point and scored with 83 seconds to play in the first overtime period to lift the Bears to a 3-2 win over the Saskatoon Blazers on Wednesday night, to the delight of hundreds of fans at Affinity Place.
The win kept the Bears' season alive, as Saskatoon had won the first two games in the best-of-five showdown.
Saskatoon jumped on the Bears early, with Cohen Harris scoring 57 seconds into the opening frame. Saskatoon had chances to make it 2-0, but Bears' goaltender Kaden Perron came up with a series of stellar saves early in the second period. The Blazers finally broke through on a goal by Carter Ralston less than two minutes into the middle frame.
Rather than give up, the Bears responded. Gunner Moore's power-play goal with 8:24 to play in the stanza pulled Estevan to within one. Estevan had several great chances to tie the game late in the second and into the third, but couldn't convert.
Talen Wallis scored with 4:36 to play in the third on another Bears' power-play to tie the game. Moments later, the Bears' Roan Burgess hit the post on a glorious scoring chance.
Saskatoon had a power play of their own late in regulation and into overtime, but Perron and the Bears withstood the pressure. Ries scored a few minutes later.
Prior to the game, Ries was saluted by the Bears for being named to the Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League's first all-star team.
Perron made 29 saves on his 18th birthday to secure the win for Estevan. Grayson Malinoski stopped 28 shots for the Blazers.
The two teams will meet again on Thursday night in Estevan. The game time will start at 7:45 p.m. Game 5, if necessary, would be Sunday in Saskatoon.
