Toronto stunned the Lakehead Thunderwolves in OT In front of 3609 fans.
The first period was full of excitement and nerves as both teams were playing in front of the biggest crowd they have played in front of all season.
Keighan Gerrie had a great chance 1:10 into the period but missed the net on a 3 on 1 break after only getting a piece of the puck.
At the other end of the ice Christian Cicigoi had to make a quick save on a cross ice pass attempt that was in tight.
Shortly afterwards Cicigoi had to be quick on his feet as Toronto had back to back opportunities, one on each side of the net.
Jett Alexander had to make a big save on Greg Smith down low on the left side of the net.
The second would see Olivier Pouliot get a great chance but was blocked by Quinn Hanna in front of the net.
The Wolves would get a flurry of chances at the 8:40 mark of the period but Jett Alexander would hold the fort for Toronto.
The Wolves would get a powerplay after Emmett Serensits would be called for interference. On the ensuing powerplay Greg Smith would redirect a Griffen Fox shot past Alexander to open the scoring and send the sold out crowd into a frenzy.
Tempers would flare in front of Alexander shortly after and Toronto would get a powerplay out of it and on the ensuing powerplay Owen Robinson would take a pass from Cole Purboo and streak down the left wing and rip it past Cicigoi to tie the game up at 1-1.
The 3rd period would be full of energy and scoring chances. Lakehead would get an early chance as Greg smith would take a pass from Pouliot and Alexander would come across for the save.
Ross Krieger would put Toronto ahead 2:44 into the frame wristing a shot off the faceoff from the slot past Cicigoi to the dismay of the crowd.
It would take the Wolves 11 minutes to respond when N.Massie would streak down the left wing and roof a backhander over Alexander's shoulder and send the fans into a frenzy once again tying up the game at 2.
Cicigoi would come up huge in the late stages of the period stopping Toronto multiple times from down low.
Overtime would see both teams get multiple opportunities to score but both goalies stood pat.
It was not until :48 seconds left that Toronto got a shot on net and Cicigoi was tight to the post and the puck was jammed in by Ross Krieger to end the game 3-2 and tie the series up at 1.
The deciding game of the series will be played Saturday night at the Gardens with start time of 7pm.
Molson Five Forks 3 Stars of the Game:
- Ross Krieger - Toronto
- Jett Alexander - Toronto
- Christian Cicigoi - Lakehead