Devils prospect Michael McLeod scored in double overtime to end a marathon game three at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, 2-1. With the win, the Steelheads took a 3 games to 0 lead over the Peterborough Petes.
The Petes got on the board first, striking when Nikita Korostelev scored just 2:03 into the game. That would be end of the scoring for the night for Peterborough, however.
Mississauga tied things up 28 seconds into the second period when Spencer Watson scored from both McLeod brothers (Ryan got the primary assist while Michael nabbed the secondary).
And that was the scoring for the game until the 10:29 mark of the second overtime when Mikey McLeod scored off assists from his brother Ryan and Watson.
With his goal and assist, Michael McLeod was named the first star of the game. Peterborough goaltender Dylan Wells was named second star while Watson was the third star of the game.
In goal, Wells made 53 saves on 55 shots on goal for the Steelheads. Matthew Mancina made 28 saves on 29 shots for Mississauga. Both goalies played over an hour and a half in the nets.
Prior to McLeod’s game winner, the Steelheads had their best chance at the 13:28 mark of the first OT when Christopher Paquette of the Petes was called for cross checking, putting Mississauga on the power play. They failed to convert, as the Steelheads went 0-for-3 on the man advantage. Peterborough also was 0-for-3.
In addition to his goal and assist, Michael McLeod was also a plus-1 with nine shots on goal. He won 20 of the 32 faceoffs that he took. Fellow Devils prospect Nathan Bastian had three shots on goal, won 12 of 22 draws he took and had two penalty minutes (a tripping call at 1:18 of the third period).
Game four, with a chance to sweep for Mississauga, comes on Wednesday, April 26 in Mississauga.