KNOXVILLE, T.N. – The Marksmen fell just short in their comeback and fell 3-2 in overtime to Knoxville once again.
The first period started off with a bang as Blake Tosto challenged Austin D’Orazio to fight just four seconds into the opening frame. Both skaters got sent off for five minutes for fighting and the contest would continue 5-on-5.
Jacob Mucitelli was sharp right off the bat after being tested early by the Ice Bears generating great scoring chances. After some back and forth dump and chase hockey by both squads, the Ice Bears were able to draw a penalty for their first powerplay of the game after John Woernle was called for tripping at 4:04. Gutsy shot blocking by the Marksmen negated any chance of a goal and were able to kill it off. The Marksmen had momentum after the penalty kill pressing on the gas creating great chances and generating shots on goal.
The puck found itself in the corner on the Marksmen endwalls where a puck battle ensued but Alex Davis was dinged for a boarding penalty at 14:49. The Marksmen were able to kill their second penalty of the period after some great saves by Jacob Mucitelli and clears by the defense.
Knoxville kicked off the second period with a goal at 8:13 by Ryan Kuzmich down the right wing side on a 2-on-2 breaking the ice to give the Ice Bears a 1-0 lead. Just minutes later the Ice Bears committed a holding penalty by Cam Tobey at 9:14 to send the Marksmen to the power play. Nothing came of it though as the score remained 1-0.
After a faceoff in the Ice Bears defensive zone, the Ice Bears were able to win the faceoff and break out of the zone for a long stretch pass to pin the Marksmen deep. Some gritty forechecking led to a loose puck in front where Davide Gaeta was able to knock home the goal at 12:18.
Two penalties to kick off the third period as Malik Johnson got called for unsportsmanlike conduct at 5:28 and Ricky Boysen got called for holding so both teams skated four aside. After some disturbance occurred in front of the Ice Bears net, the Marksmen were able to knock one home at 6:44 to make it a 2-1 hockey game. Two penalties each by both sides after the Marksmen pressed the puck up the ice and had the Ice Bears on their heels. A delayed penalty against Knoxville was coming, but after a great stretch pass from the defensive zone to Payton Schaly he was able to find Blake Humphrey where he ripped it over the goalkeeper’s right shoulder to tie things up at 14:13.
The Marksmen then had a chance to capture the lead as they headed to the power play with just under two minutes to play in the third after an interference call against the Ice Bears. The Marksmen created multiple chances to win the game but couldn’t find the back of the net so overtime was forthcoming. Frankie Ireland was able to collect a loose puck in front of the benches off a disjointed line change and score the overtime game winning goal at 2:39.
The Marksmen host Roanoke on Thursday, November 5 at 10:00 am for their first School Day Game presented by PWC. Bring your class! Head to marksmenhockey.com for more information.