Location, location, location -- it's not just a realtor's mantra, but also that of a goal scorer.
New Westminster's Joel McCready was in the right place at the right time, lifting his Salmonbellies past the Peterborough Lakers 12-10 in overtime, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead in the Mann Cup championship series.
McCready's marker came with 1:06 remaining in the extra 10-minute period and broke a 10-10 tie, as New West twice shook off overtime snipes by Laker shooters in the bonus round to complete the comeback before 2,512 fans at Queen's Park on Friday.
The series continues Saturday (tonight), 7:30 p.m. at Queen's Park Arena.
Planted at the left of Peterborough netminder Matt Vinc with New West looking to take its first lead since early in the second period, McCready one-timed a pass from Mitch Jones and found the shortside for what proved to be the game winner.
"We just kept fighting, kepting getting the rebound," noted McCready following the game. "Mitch (Jones) just drew two or three (Peterborough checkers) -- he's unbelievable. He pretty much put it right in my stick. It was easy work for me. He did all the work."
Less than two minutes earlier, Logan Schuss snapped home the tying goal from the slot to knot the score 10-10. Both Schuss' and McCready's tallies came on the powerplay, after the Lakers' Thomas Hoggarth was tagged with a five-minute cross checking penalty and a game misconduct, for derailing New West's Mike Messenger with a high hit.
But the 'Bellies powerplay had been a mixed bag all night, producing six goals on 10 opportunities, but also sagging at times and surrendering what appeared to be a costly marker midway into overtime, when one-time junior Salmonbellie Curtis Dickson beat Alexis Buque with a nifty individual effort to make it 10-9 for Peterborough.
It set the scene for Schuss' and McCready's big-time tallies, and was finished when Messenger netted the game's final goal with nine seconds left.
"We're no stranger to overtime, and we know we're playing a great team over there, with great coaches," noted New West's Kevin Crowley, who finished with three goals and two assists. "We keep doing what we're doing, we trust the process and it turned out in our favour tonight."
New West held an advantage in the opening period, racking up a 4-1 lead while out-shooting the Ontario champions 23-11. It was a different story over the next 21 minutes, as Peterborough put together a forceful reply and outscored the 'Bellies 7-1 to grab an 8-5 lead before the third period was a minute old.
The home team didn't crack under pressure, however, and returned fire with three straight markers, the third by McCready midway in the frame, to make it 8-8. It stayed that way until overtime, where the Lakers twice took the lead, first on Shawn Evans' second of the night just 26 seconds into the extra period, and after Crowley drew the teams even three minutes later, on Dickson's shorthanded volley.
Along with that shorthanded goal, Peterborough was a dangerous five-for-five on the powerplay.
Buque picked up the win, turning aside 35 shots, while Vinc was valiant in defeat, facing 60 shots on the night.
McCready said the team really got a big boost from the near-capacity crowd, who cheered on each New West foray into the Peterborough zone.
"The fans were unbelievable tonight -- thank you so much from all the players," he said. "It's always so nice to play in front of family and friends, and it just gives us extra motivation to go out and give a good show."
Crowley said the win will be savoured for a few hours but it will take another full-team effort to be ready for the Lakers' response in Game 2.
"There are so many unsung heroes. Stats don't tell the whole truth," he said. "Guys like Connor Robinson kept grinding it out, Zach Herreweyers, Anthony Malcom -- guys getting in there, getting into the dirty spots and creating space for everyone."
Schuss finished with two goals and seven assists, while Jones registered six helpers. Counting two goals apiece were Brandon Goodwin, McCready and Robinson.
The Lakers were led by Dickson's four goals and four assists.
Game 3 is slated for Monday, faceoff at 7:30 p.m.
