The L/A Nordiques trailed all game long, but came away with the two points as Nick Ventura scored in overtime to lift L/A to a 3-2 win over the in-state rival Maine Wild on a snowy Saturday night.
It was Ventura’s ninth goal of the season and first with the Nordiques, having joined the team when the Jersey Shore Wildcats folded earlier this week.
“He’s a big, young, skilled player,” Nordiques coach Cam Robichaud said. “I though he had a great game, specifically without the puck. He was moving well, he has a really nice long stride. He was really competing tonight. He got a good bounce and a breakaway there and was able to put it in.”
The Wild carried a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes after Mason Ledbetter potted his 23rd goal of the season midway through the first period. Josh DeCarolis picked up the lone assist on the goal.
It looked as though the score would remain the same through 40 minutes, but Shayne Plummer had other ideas. He tied the contest up with five seconds remaining in the second frame for his 16th goal of the season. Caleb Labrie picked up the lone assist on the goal.
The game was only tied for 18 seconds, though, as Ledbetter scored his second of the game 14 seconds into the third period on the power play.
“The message going into the third period was to kill off the penalty, use it as momentum and win the next 18 minutes after the kill,” Robichaud said. It was basically a mini-game, you win the next 18 minutes, you win the game. Unfortunately we weren’t unsuccessful on the kill. We were a little bit deflated, but I think guys pushed through.”
The Nordiques once again rallied late in the period. Caleb Labrie tied the game with 3:33 remaining on a Jacob Bennett feed.
Sage Broda made 24 saves in the victory while Anthony Santarosa made 23 in the losing effort.
nfournier@sunjournal.com
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