Cats even series 1 all with 6 - 3 victory over Storm

Photos thanks to Denis and story by Ian Gibson

Great work between the pipes by Matt Perry helped to make a difference in the game

Fans celebrate the empty netter that synched the win for the Cats

Elliot Lake Centennial arena Friday March 12, 2010; Elliot Lake Bobcats 6, Deseronto Storm 3.

It is a treat to see great hockey being played.  Tonight the Elliot Lake Bobcats and the Deseronto Storm gave the home town fans a thrilling game.  The Cats #25 got the first goal at the 18:07 mark of the first period.  Then at 1426 #22 Greg Hyde banged one in!  At this point it looked like the Cats were back in their game winning form. That was not to be as the League high scorer, #17 Brad Clark lit up Mat Perry twice, then with 3:04 left in the first, #4 Bobby Sayers got one to give the Storm a 3 to 2 lead heading into the locker room.  Little did they know that Sayers goal was to be their last for the remainder of the game. 
During a hard fought end to end second period only one goal was scored with 7:46 to go when the Cats #7 Chad Barros scored which tied the game at 3 - 3. That was all for the second, so the whole game came down to the third period. 
The Cats seemed to get stronger as the game went on and managed to get tallies from #26 Tom Rush, #19 Kevin Filtaut (on a pretty set-up and pass by #7 Chad Barros) and finally the empty netter by #11 Filip Kajba.

It certainly looks like the Cats have their game back and I expect that the more they play the better they will get.

Both goalies have their playoff pads on although I must say that some of the fortunate things (read bounces etc.) which went the way of the Storm last night, went the Cats way tonight.  Shots on goal were 44 by the Cats and 33 by the Storm.

The top four teams are now in the playoffs.  The close to 400 fans who witnessed tonight's game will tell  you it is great hockey.  It would not be too surprising to see this semi-final go to six or probably seven games. The other semi-final between Bradford and South Muskoka may end up the same. 

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