Ooks Tie Vikings in Last Regular Season Game

NAIT Ooks men's hockey hosted the Augustana Vikings in their final regular season game.

In the first period, the Vikings started right where they left off on Friday evening, capitalizing on an Owen Lamb goal early to give them a 1-0. The Ooks settled into their own as the opening frame rolled along. Vikings got into penalty trouble, and the Ooks went to work on the man advantage generating high-quality looks. Vikings Goaltender Rett Rook made a few spectacular saves as the Ooks controlled much of the period. In the dying moments, Rintaro Mashio poked a loose puck past the defender and broke in alone, slipping one five-hole for his first collegiate goal, knotting things up at one after 20 minutes of play.

It was a penalty frenzy second period. As the physicality started to ramp up, Ooks got into penalty troubles in the early portions of the middle frame. Vikings forward Conrad Phillips banged home a rebound past Ooks goaltender Westin Cardwell to put them up 2-1. The Ooks regained control and were rewarded with multiple powerplay opportunities, which saw them convert and tying the hockey game back up at two. Bjorn Robinson with a beautiful slap pass to find the stick of Keaton Holinaty for a tap-in. Both teams traded chances near the end of the period, but Cardwell and Rook stood tall as they headed to the final break tied two all.

Early in the third period, the Ooks came out firing on all cylinders hoping to break the deadlock. Zach Vanderwal was robbed by the right pad of Rook. The Ooks continued to pour it on and control the time of possession. The Ooks were creating chances off the rush and causing turnovers thanks to their relentless forecheck. The Ooks' pressure was too much for the Vikings to handle, but Rook made some superb saves down the stretch to force overtime.

In the extra frame, the Vikings started on the man advantage, and Cardwell made a few key saves to keep the game tied. The Ooks had an opportunity late in overtime on the powerplay, and which seemed to be the story of the night; Rook was sensational on the kill. Vanderwal broke in on a breakaway in the final seconds of overtime but missed the net. That's where things finished, and the Vikings and Ooks tied their last regular season game 2-2.

The Vikings are off next weekend, with a bye to the ACAC semi-finals, while the Ooks travel to Briercrest for a three-game series next weekend.