Round 2 Recap - Semi Final 2

In the second semi final, AC Doors squared off with league newcomer, Sackvegas. The season series heavily favoured AC Doors, who won all four matches against Sackvegas, however, on closer review, the teams were more evenly matched than it would initially appear, as three of those games were decided in a shootout, while the other was a one-goal game.

In Game 1, the teams were scoreless until Rene George broke the deadlock with 0:41 remaining in the first. AC Doors would add four goals in the second period, with markers from Conor Fudge, Andrew Oakley, Neil Pashkoski, with Oakley adding his second of the game. For those who have followed Sackvegas this season, the squad is not one to ever be counted out. Brett Arthur would get Sackvegas on the board, which was answered by Oakley's third of the game two-minutes later, taking a 6-1 lead into the second intermission.

George would add his second of the game to start the third, which was answered by three goals from Sackvegas - Andrew Machum, Zach Thomas and Kyle Peveril brought the deficit to 7-4. Oakley would add his fourth of the game and Dave MacGregor potted a late goal to seal the 9-4 win.

In Game 2, Dave MacGregor picked up the game's first goal at 9:48 in the first, which was the only marker scored in the first period. Sackvegas would come out flying in the second period, rattling off a five-goal second with three goals from Derek Nelson, as well as a goals from defenceman Adam Brown and steady forward Kyle Peveril. AC Doors would add a late goal by Kyle Ross to cut the lead to 5-2 going into the third period.

Sackvegas would add a quick goal to start the third from Justin Hessian, though AC Doors would not go quietly, as Andrew Oakley, with two goals, and linemate Neil Pashkoski would get the game back to 6-5. Less than a minute later, Blair Skinner would be tripped up on a breakaway, resulting in a penalty shot, and he made no mistake, restoring the two goal lead. Rene George answered twenty seconds later, and AC Doors pressed for the equalizer. A late major penalty by Sackvegas would put AC Doors on the power play for the remainder of the game, and it appeared to have tied the match on a goalmouth scramble, which was eventually deemed no goal due to goaltender interference. Brett Arthur would pot the eighth goal for Sackvegas on a shorthanded rush to end the game 8-6, setting up a game for all the marbles.

The rollercoaster series-finale did not disappoint, with Sackvegas building a first period 3-1 lead on two goals from Brett Arthur and one from Zach Thomas, while Kyle Ross answered  for AC Doors.

AC Doors would use the intermission to refocus, with Andrew Oakley scoring a powerplay goal nineteen seconds into the second period, followed by goals from Oakley, Dave MacGregor and Rene George, all within the opening four minutes of the second period. Sackvegas would get itself into penalty trouble, facing a two man disadvantage and things were looking bleak. The break in action while the referees sorted out the penalties would be beneficial to Sackvegas, who steadied the ship, killed the extended powerplays, with Brett Arthur continuing his playoff scoring on a powerplay goal assisted by Andrew Skinner and Kyle Peveril. AC Doors would answer on a goal by Pat O'Neil, assisted by Shane O'Neil and Al O'Neil, while Sackvegas' Peveril would tuck in a later marker with 0:58 remaining in the second.

Clinging to a 6-5 lead, AC Doors tightened up defensively to start the third. With the ice tilting, Lucas Zwaagstra capitalized on a powerplay with 4 minutes remaining, drawing the teams even once more. Less than forty-five seconds later, with 3:25 remaining Andrew Skinner would pot his first of the game, giving Sackvegas its first lead since the 12:15 mark of the second period. With the game winding down, Sackvegas was whistled for icing with thirteen seconds remaining. AC Doors took its thirty second timeout, with player-coach Matt Myers drawing up a desperation faceoff play. Conor Fudge managed to win the draw, and the puck eventually made its way to George on the point, who snuck a seeing eye shot past Pat Tillman, tying the game with 0:01 remaining in the third period.

The teams would engage in the first overtime of the 2018 playoffs, with George swiping his third of the game on a dive for a puck that eluded Tillman, giving AC Doors the 8-7 win. Ricky Jones turned aside 26 shots in a winning effort, while Tillman made 22 saves in the loss.

AC Doors faces CKG Elevator in a rematch of last years' Keith Miller Cup final, which begins Sunday, April 8 at the Keith Miller Arena.