It’s either Game 6 tonight or locker-clearing time at the Brindy.
The Storm faced a must-win game Thursday night after dropping a tough-fought 3-2 decision to the Cougars Wednesday night on home ice.
The loss gave the defending champion Cougars a 3-1 stranglehold on the best-of-seven semi-final series.In game four at Rod Brind’Amour Arena, Campbell River came out flying. The Storm couldn’t capitalize on its first power play in the opening minutes, but at 4:28 Josiah Friesen gave his team a 1-0 lead.
The Storm out-hustled and out-played Victoria in the opening period and were a bit unlucky not to have a 2-0 lead at the buzzer.
In the second frame, the Cougars picked up the pace and tied it 1-1 on a goal by John Kretzschmar at 2:28. But the Storm regained the lead at 5:03 when Jamie Severs banged home a rebound with helpers to Joe Gage and Joe Costello.
The Storm didn’t hold the lead for long, less than two minutes later, Michael Fretz tied it 2-2 and that’s the way the second ended. Victoria goalie Nathan Hargrave and Storm netminder Russell Sanderson both faced 33 shots.
The Storm had a few good scoring opportunities in the period, but the Cougars played great team defence and didn’t give the Storm many second chances around the net.The Storm needed to win Thursday in Victoria to force a Game 6. Look for the score at www.campbellrivermirror.com
Game 6, if needed, goes tonight at the Brindy at 7:30 p.m.