OHSWEKEN — The Owen Sound North Stars and the Six Nations Rivermen fought to a regulation time tie at 9-9 Saturday night at the Gaylord Powless Arena sending the game to overtime period during which the Stars scored two for the Game 1 win, Saturday night.
It also set the tone for what could be a very intense series. At around the 17 minute mark of the third period, the lid blew off the slow-cooker when Rayce Vyse was checked into the North Stars players bench where he was jumped by other Stars until Rivermen teammates found out what was going on and a donny-brook ensued involving Tyler Gibbons and Riley Montour as the two main combatents, and a bench minor to boot.
The Stars scored a powerplay goal and two short handers to immediately put the Rivermen on their heals at 3-0. Marcus Elvin regained some ground at 18:02, unassisted.
Greg Longboat stuck early in the second period from Todd Squire to get close at 3-2, but two quick Owen Sound goals threw the momentum back towards the North Stars. Wayne VanEvery and Wenster Green closed out the second period with Owen Sound leading 5-4.
Joe Maracle Jr. converted a Riley Miller pass to draw even at 1:20 of the third period, and Murray Porter produced a short-lived 6-5 Six Nations lead as Owen Sound returned fire with the next three goals of the game and the 8-6 Stars lead.
Roger Vyse made it 8-7 Stars, but Zach Thompson restored the OwenSound two-goal lead.
With the clock quickly counting off the the last three minutes of the game, Dylan Llord brought the Rivermen and the North Stars back into a one goal game. Then, with 19:19 showing on VanEvery sent the game into OT.
In the extra frame, the North Stars were handed a gift as Roger Vyse was handed a questionable five-minute spearing penalty. Both of the Stars’ OT goals came on the ensuing powerplay.
