KNOXVILLE, T.N. – The Marksmen battled hard but came up just short in their overtime loss to the Ice Bears.
The Marksmen came out of the gate buzzing around, scoring just 56 seconds into the game. Austin D’Orazio found himself on an odd man rush with Ricky Boysen, where Boysen was able to find his teammate crashing the net after a beautiful back and forth passing play for the back door tap in. After some back and forth, the Ice Bears were able to connect for a goal at 11:27 after Ranon Joseph found himself all alone at the point where Marksmen goaltender Jake Mucitelli was screened in front. Just after puck drop seconds after the Ice Bears scored, former teammates Paxton Leroux and Lucas Helland dropped the gloves for a heavyweight battle energizing the crowd.
As the second period moved along, the Ice Bears found themselves shorthanded. After generating great chances, nothing came of it after producing great scoring opportunities. Jacob Mucitelli was tested shorthanded but shut the door on a possible Ice Bears shorthanded goal. The Ice Bears were peppering the Marksmen with shots, having 18 in the second frame and finding the back of the net eventually as Jianing Guo of the Ice Bears broke the 1-1 tie scoring at 17:37 of the second period.
Jacob Mucitelli stood tall as the 3rd period moved along having 9 saves, while the Marksmen created plenty of opportunities and made it 2-2. Blake Humphrey tied the game at 17:05 in the 3rd with the Marksmen looking to get their 2nd win of the season. Just as the Marksmen score, minutes later they find themselves shorthanded looking to kill a penalty off heading into overtime. They were able to kill off the penalty thanks to Jacob Mucitelli standing tall but just a little over into the overtime frame, the Marksmen were shorthanded once again. A 5 minute elbowing major was assessed to Austin D’Orazio at 5:55 in overtime. With the pressure mounting and chances generated by the Ice Bears, they were able to score the OT game winner at 6:31 on the power play. Jacob Mucitelli did everything he could posting 53 saves in the overtime loss.
The Marksmen will be back in action on Thursday, October 29 at 7 pm as they host the Ice Bears for Haunted Hockey. Get tickets today at marksmenhockey.com/tickets/single-game/ .
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