In a game defined by incredible goaltending from both sides and a dramatic finish, the Swift Baja Yetis edged out the Scare Bears 2-1 in an overtime battle that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. The first period was a masterclass in defensive hockey, with both teams trading chances at a furious pace. The Yetis fired 29 shots on goal in the opening frame alone, while the Scare Bears countered with 28 of their own, but both netminders stood tall, turning away everything thrown their way. The only blemish on an otherwise clean period came when the Yetis’ Shawn Stockdale was whistled for tripping late in the frame, but the penalty kill held strong, sending the game scoreless into the first intermission.
The deadlock was finally broken in the second period when the Yetis capitalized on a power-play opportunity. With the Scare Bears’ Kaleb Laboucan in the box for tripping, Jonah Moore found the back of the net, assisted by Robert Mitchell and Daryl Epp, to give the Yetis a 1-0 lead. However, the Scare Bears responded quickly, as Chevan Wilson and Dean Kaskamin set up Kaleb Laboucan for an even-strength goal just minutes later, tying the game at 1-1. The period also saw a flurry of penalties, including matching minors for Danielle Bandong and Ian Scott for roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct, respectively, but neither team could find the go-ahead goal.
With the game tied and the pressure mounting, the third period saw the Yetis continue to dominate the shot count but unable to solve the Scare Bears’ defense. Penalties continued to pile up, with the Yetis taking three minors in the period, including two by Ian Scott for body contact and tripping, and another by Gurshan Bains for tripping. Despite the relentless pressure, the Scare Bears’ penalty kill held firm, forcing the game into a sudden-death fourth period. There, just 2:57 into overtime, Daryl Epp played the hero, scoring the game-winner off a feed from Jonah Moore to secure the 2-1 victory for the Yetis. Goaltender Derek Swyripa, who faced 28 shots and allowed just a single goal, earned the win, while Neil Tomlinson took the loss despite a valiant effort between the pipes.