The Stettler Imperials have tied the second round of the East Central Senior Mens' Hockey League playoffs at one game apiece following the defeat of the Sedgewick Sabres at the Stettler Recreation Centre on March 1.
With the series tied, it guarantees the best-of-five series will go at least four games as the teams head back to Sedgewick on March 7, before returning to Stettler on March 8.
The overtime defeat of Sedgewick on March 1 is the first time Stettler has defeated the team in over two years. The last time the Imperials defeated Sedgewick was Feb. 25, 2023.
Stettler played in front of a full house for game two and came out swinging, going up by two goals early in the first frame with markers by Alex DeYoung and DJ Kistner.
Sedgewick would retaliate before the end of the period with one of their own, scored by Keaton Holinaty.
The Sabres held Stettler scoreless in the second period while leaping ahead with two goals of their own scored by Jesse Reeds and Trevor Bromby.
In what would turn out to be a big third period, neither team had a clear advantage until league point leader Dylan Houston managed to score on the breakaway near the end of the third period, tying the game and forcing overtime.
After another intermission, the players returned to the ice for sudden death overtime; overtime was decided around eight minutes in with a goal by Quade Cassidy.
The final score for the games was 4-3, which tied the series at one game apiece.
