The Williams Lake Mustangs are headed back home with the series tied up a game a piece after defeating the 100 Mile House Wranglers 4-3 in Game 2 of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) Doug Birks Division Semi Finals Series A.
The 100 Mile House Wranglers had gone into this game with a 1-0 series lead following their 2-1 win against the Mustangs on Feb. 28, and it looked as if they would continue to edge out the Mustangs. Around 1:59 into the first period, Riley Langille scored his first of the playoffs past Mustangs goalie Alex Jessey to give the Wranglers a 1-0 lead. During the first period, several penalties were given out to both teams - and it had seemed that Williams Lake had been in control of the game during the latter half of the period, despite not scoring a goal.
During the second period, the Mustangs scored around 2:59 into the period, tying the game 1-1 with Noah Pears scoring his first of the playoffs, being assisted by Aden Miller. The Mustangs then struck again in a unassisted goal 7:59 in the second period by Asher Lucas, with them taking a 2-1 lead, after numerous back and forth chances between both Williams Lake and 100 Mile House. Around 9:44 in the second period, Jaden Rusznak scored his second goal of the playoffs on a power play assisted by Kole Duquette, tying the game for the 100 Mile House Wranglers 2-2. The power play had come after Mustangs player Aden Miller took a delay of game penalty.
In the third period, the Mustangs seized control of the game, but it was not without resistance from the Wranglers. Around 1:24 into the third period, Declan Pocock scored his first goal of the playoffs, assisted by Jacob Shtaif - giving the Mustangs a 3-2 lead. But the Wranglers responded - 6:05 into the third period, Everett Boutcher scored his first goal of the playoffs, tying the game 3-3. But then the Mustangs destroyed the Wranglers - 10:45 in the third period, on a power play goal due to a high sticking double minor penalty taken by Wranglers player Landen Janz - Logan Hauk of the Mustangs scored the go-ahead and game-winning goal, giving the Mustangs a 4-3 lead - which would be the final score.
The Division Semi Finals Series A is now guaranteed to last at least five games - with game(s) three and four to be held in Williams Lake at the Cariboo Memorial Rec Complex at 7 p.m. on Mar. 3 and 4 respectively, while game five will be held on Mar. 7 at the South Cariboo Rec Centre in 100 Mile House at 7 p.m. All games are also streamed on FloHockey.
