Slave Lake’s Bantam ‘AA’ Thunder got off on the right foot in their league final series against Barrhead on Sunday. They took a 1 – 0 series lead with a 2 – 1 victory, and will try to finish off the job this Wednesday night in Barrhead.
Unlike the earlier playoff rounds, goal totals are not cumulative. Winning one of the next two games is all that matters. Slave Lake had the edge in the season series, beating Barrhead twice and tying them twice. The Thunder finished a point ahead of Barrhead in the regular season, in third place overall.
Barrhead took the early lead in the game, scoring in the first period and hanging onto it into the third period, when Slave Lake finally cracked the barrier and got a couple. Nathan Hannah, from Anthony Nahamko and Kirk Ruecker, was the first to solve Barrhead goalie Ian Wieringa. Matthew Girard followed up with the game winner, assisted by Kyle Buchberger and Brandon Devos.
Zach Pollard was the winning goalie, stopping 20 of 21 shots he faced. The Thunder fired 34 in the other direction. Judging by the game sheet, Slave Lake played a well-disciplined game too, taking only four minor penalties to eight for Barrhead. If Slave Lake wins this Wednesday in Barrhead, it’s all over. If Barrhead wins, the final game won’t be until Mar. 30 here in Slave Lake.

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