Neepawa/OCN split back to back games

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Published on Sunday, February 25, 2018

Benoit Mowbray (#18) scores one of his two goals in Saturday's game against OCN.

By Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Banner & Press

A three point night from Benoit Mowbray (two goals - one assist) powered the Neepawa Natives to a 4-1 win over the OCN Blizzard on Saturday, Feb. 24. But as impressive as Mowbray's effort was, the lasting impression many fans likely left the Yellowhead Arena with, was that there might need to be some extra security brought in to cover the rematch on Sunday.

An inability by the officials to maintain control lead to wild fight filled third period, with several player ejections and an altercation between an OCN player and the Neepawa bench.  There was also a shouting match in the hallway between the dressing rooms between a pair of ejected players. Fortunately, the physicality remained on the ice and the war of words was broken up by security.

There were several other notable occurrences over the course of the game, including one between an OCN player and an official. Late in the first period, forward Trygve Many Guns So slew-footed a linesmen as he exited the OCN zone. Since no ref saw the incident, no penalty was called and Many Guns stayed in the game.

Another strange moment came from the Natives' third goal of the game, as the OCN goaltender and bench vehmently denied that the puck actually went in the net. But alas, there is no instant replay in the MJHL and the controversial third goal would stand.

Back to the goal scoring portion of the game, along with Mowbray's pair, the Natives also received goals from Ashton Anderson and Brett Namaka. Goaltender Brendan Benoit earned the victory with a 38 save performance, for his tenth win of the season

After the conclusion of the game, Natives head coach Dustin Howden said this was simply an example of the intensity ramping up as the playoffs draw near. He added that it could mean that things rev up even more for Sunday's  rematch, or has simply played itself out in the one game.

The puck slips past the OCN net, in the Sunday night game at the Yellowhead Arena. The Blizzard would win in overtime 6-5.

Back at it on Sunday night

For the second game between OCN and Neepawa, things settled down, as both squads were in desperate need of points in the standings. While the Natives are in a battle for the eighth and final playoff spot, OCN is in a race with Winkler for fourth place and home ice advantage in the first round.

The first and second periods felt like reruns, as on each occasion, the Blizzard scored a pair quickly to take the lead. Just a quickly, though, the Natives replied with a pair of their own to keep it tied going into the intermissions. For the first period, team captain Griffin Chwaliboga scored both goals, with massive shots from near the face-off circle and blue line, respectively. 

After falling behind again by two in the second, Chwaliboga put away his third of the night, near the mid-point of the period. Before the end of the second, Nolan Richards scored to make it 4-4 going into the third period. 

A Zak Smith goal early in the third provided Neepawa with its first lead of the night. OCN would retaliate, however, near the mid-point of the period. Neither team was able to add a sixth goal in regulation, sending the game into overtime. Just 2:24 into OT, OCN’s Mark Liwiski scored the game winner.

Now with just two games left in the regular season, Neepawa has a record of 25-29-3-1, good enough for 54 points. That places them three points behind Swan Valley for eight place.