This was a fast, close-checking and hard-hitting game that saw only one goal scored, but it ended up being the game winner. Period one was a pretty even affair, but the Panthers got into trouble in period two, taking nine penalties. At one point, they were down five men to three for nearly two full minutes, but their PK managed to weather the storm. Stouffville outshot Pickering 25-6 in the second period, wearing down the Panthers in their own end.
The scoreless game lasted until the 14:47 mark of the third period when the Spirit finally scored their first even strength goal of Round 2. Pickering pressed hard in the final couple of minutes for the equalizer with the goalie pulled and came close on a number of occasions, but Stouffville hung on for the 1-0 victory.
Both goalies deserved star of the game honours, with Anthony Sciere turning aside 43 shots in the Panther net.
The series now returns to Stouffville for Game 4 on Thursday night at 7:30 pm.
