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Summerside win Game 5 in double-overtime, force Game 6 in Metalfab MHL Cup Final

For the second time in the Metalfab MHL Cup Final, the Summerside Western Capitals defeated the Miramichi Timberwolves in double-overtime. Miramichi entered the game with a 3-1 series lead and found themselves on the cusp of their first-ever league championship. Summerside, meanwhile, were looking to force Game 6 on Thursday night in Miramichi.

The Western Capitals made a goaltending change for Game 5 with Niko Boudreau getting his first post-season start, and just his third appearance in these playoffs. Miramichi grabbed the early lead with Zachael Turgeon’s ninth goal of the playoffs just 34 seconds in. Summerside would tie it up at 16:06 of the 1st period as Will Murphy scored his first of the playoffs. There was no scoring in the 2nd period. The Western Capitals were outshooting the Timberwolves 28-20 through 40 minutes.

Summerside kept the pressure on in the 3rd period, outshooting Miramichi 13-6 in the frame, but Boudreau and Miramichi’s Jack Flanagan stopped them all to force overtime for the second time in the series. Game 1 went to the Western Capitals in double-overtime, 6-5.

Trentyn Crane of the Western Capitals had the best chance early in the first overtime, able to go in on a breakaway, but Flanagan made a glove save to force the game to continue. The Miramichi goaltender then shut the door as time was running out in the period as Summerside had a 3-on-1 to force double-overtime. Shots were 10-5 for the Timberwolves in the 10-minute overtime.

In the second overtime, Boudreau made a pair of key saves early before Simon Mullen’s shot from the point squeaked through Flanagan and gave the Western Capitals another thrilling victory. With the 2-1 win, Summerside has now cut Miramichi’s series lead to 3-2. The Timberwolves now look to win the Metalfab MHL Cup on home ice. The Western Capitals want to force a Game 7 back at Credit Union Place on Saturday.