The Nordiques were headed into a 3 game weekend with the Hat Tricks on a 5 game slide looking to turn their fortunes around Game 1 saw The Nordiques continue their trend of early goals and lead 2-0 after 1. The Nordiques wanted to hold that lead and add to it in the 2nd, but The Hat Tricks would trade goals with The Nords; then add 4 in a row to take the lead. The Nordiques down by 2 with just 12 minutes to go, momentum not on their side, weren’t ready to drop another game; it was time to turn it around. Jack Strauss pulled it within 1 and got the momentum back. Just 2 minutes and 30 seconds later Patrick Schmiedlin would add one to force OT. The OT frame started with a good chance for The Hat Tricks, but was stopped by Ty Outen. The Nords would win the face off in the D zone, go the other way and Patrick Schmiedlin would clean up, Makem Demers chance in front to give The Nords the OT win and their first win in 5 games.
Game 2 was exactly 24 hours later and The Nords got the taste of victory still looming in their mouths hungry for more. Another early goal from The Nords in this one; this time it was Stefan Owens who found the back of the net just 2:13 into the game. 1-0 Nords after 1st. The Nordiques best period of the weekend was the 2nd period in game 2; they scored goals from Reese Farrell, Aiden Connolly, and Stefan Owens. 4-0 Nords after 2nd. The Hat tricks would cut the lead in half in the opening 10 minutes of the 3rd period to make things close, but a solid outing from Avery Sturtz who finished with 27/29 saves and an empty net goal from Aiden Connolly to seal the deal would give The Nords the game 2 victory 5-2
Game 3 started with The Nords looking for the 3 game sweep against The Hat Tricks for a happy ride back to Maine. They got just that. The Nords would strike on a shorthanded goal from Casper Söderling to open the scoring to set the tone in the game. The Nords would then score 2 more to lead 3-0 before the hat tricks responded midway through the 3rd, but Aiden Connolly would end the weekend on a good note as he made it 4-1 Nords sealing another empty netter in the win. Ty Outen was also fantastic in goal with 38/39 stops in the win so the classic air guitar made its 2nd appearance of the weekend.
With the sweep the nordiques have clinched a spot in the Robertson Cup Playoffs for the first time in franchise history!
The Nords look to put in the work this weekend in practice and get ready for the 1st place Tomahawks in Johnstown on Friday.
