Coben's Game 5 Heroics pushes Mils to brink of elimination

The Melville Millionaires are now a loss away from elimination as they fell in Game 5 of their Best of 7 Quarter-Final series last night by a score of 6-5 to the Nipawin Hawks to take a 3-2 series lead.

The Mils would get on the board first as Lane Harbor would bang home his 1st of the playoffs on the power play to make it a 1-0 lead. But just 2:25 later, the Hawks would respond as Nick Reimer's point shot would beat Trevor Martin for his 1st to tie things up at 1-1 after 20 minutes.

The wild 2nd period would begin just 2:56 in when Zack Bross would go top shelf on Martin for his 2nd to give the Hawks their first lead at 2-1. Tanner Kyle would respond for the money men as he would get one past a screened Joe O'Brien to even things at 2-2. Chase Thudium would get the Hawks ahead again but once again the Mils would respond this time by Lane Harbor
who got his 2nd of the evening. The Mils would get the lead just 16 seconds later when Mark Zvonkovic's long shot would hit the back of the net for his 2nd of the postseason to make it 4-3 Mils. SJHL Rookie of the Year Garrett Dunlop would end off the high scoring period with a power play goal late to make it a 4-4 tie after a couple periods.

Jayden Piatelli would give the visitors an early in the 3rd frame just 4:36 in as Jayden Piatelli would get his 1st to make it 5-4. But to no ones surprise the Mils would once again tie things up at 5-5 when Tyson Predinchuk would fire home his 4th of the playoffs to force the overtime.

In the extra period, 20 year old Carter Coben would take a nice pass across from Brandon Arnold and jam it through Martin to gives his team the series lead and a 6-5 Game 5 victory.

Joe O'Brien made 21 saves on 26 shots for Nipawin while Trevor Martin was the busier of the goaltenders in the Melville net as he made 43 saves in the loss.

The Mils were 2 for 3 on the PP, while Hawks were 1/5.

The Mils will need a victory tomorrow night (Sun) when the two teams do battle for Game 6 in Nipawin. GX94 will broadcast the game with Yorkton Dodge Junior Hockey, pregame 5:50 pxp at 6:00.

Post Game Show with Mils Asst. GM Neil Lamberty