Thrilling Third Period Powers Miners Past Knights; Chenhall’s 47 Saves Key to Game 1 Victory

thrilling Third Period Powers Miners Past Knights; Chenhall’s 47 Saves Key to Game 1 Victory

Port Hood, NS — The first two periods played out like a chess match. The Glace Bay Miners and the Cape Breton West Blackstone Knights battled through two periods of scoreless hockey, with shots relatively even at 25–21 in favor of the Knights. Fans were left waiting for the first goal, and little did anyone know, the third period was about to explode in ways no one expected.

The third period arrived, and it almost felt like the game had been reset. In a whirlwind 20 minutes, both teams lit up the scoreboard, producing one of the most thrilling finishes fans have seen in recent memory.

Connor Harroun opened the scoring at 19:16, finishing a precise setup from Jarrad Struthers and Patrick Byrne to give Glace Bay a 1–0 lead. The Knights would answer midway through the period when Craig Ryan score to tie it 1–1, the goal was assisted by Drew MacDonald and Travis King.

Glace Bay wasn’t finished. Jarrad Struthers stunned the home crowd with two goals in just 14 seconds, finishing feeds from Connor Harroun and Branden Dauphinee to take control. Connor MacIntyre followed that by scoring at 7:19, completing a furious offensive burst that left the Knights reeling late in the game. The Miners would take a 4-1 lead with time slipping away on the Knights.

The Knights would rally and make it interesting late, with goals from Justin Taylor and Chad Wilson narrowing the gap to 4–3, setting up a heart-pounding finish with just over two minutes remaining.

The Knights would press hard late, but on this night, they just couldn’t find the answer. The Glace Bay Miners held on, stealing Game 1 4–3 in front of the Knights’ faithful.

Despite being outshot 50–41, Glace Bay goalie Hunter Chenhall was spectacular, stopping 47 shots to preserve the victory. The Miners steal Game 1 on the road, taking a 1–0 series lead and home-ice advantage heading into Game 2.

Kenzie MacPhail was solid in the net for the Knights despite the loss, stopping 37 of 41 shots, keeping his time in this game late and not letting it get out of hand when all the momentum seemed in the Miners favour. 

Game 2 goes tonight February 28th with puck drop set for 7:30 p.m at the Miners Forum. Glace Bay will look to ride the momentum from their Game 1 win and aim for a 2–0 series lead.

Game 1 Final Score: Glace Bay Miners 4, Cape Breton West 3
Glace Bay leads best of five series 1-0.