TRITON, NL — The Triton Combines have been on the losing end of the Green Bay Cup in its first two years of rejuvenation, but have taken the first step towards changing that this year.
The Combines earned a 7-6 overtime victory over the two-time defending champion Springdale Braves Friday night at the Green Bay South arena.
Adam Green was the overtime hero, netting the game winner just over five minutes into the extra period. He was one of four Combines — along with P.J. Budgell, Donovan Fudge and Ryan Burton — with a goal and an assist in the Game 1 victory.
Teammate Kaleb Roberts led the way with two goals and an assist. Noah Henstridge had the other goal for the Combines.
Trenton Johanson had a hat trick in the loss for the Braves, while Scott Doody had two goals and an assist. Jay Rowsell had the other Braves goal, while teammate Ryan Cull picked up four assists.
Doody opened the scoring in the first period after more than 16 minutes of scoreless hockey, and the Braves went up 2-0 on Rowsell’s goal nearly midway through the second period.
The rest of the second period belonged to Triton, as goals from Fudge and Henstridge tied the game at 2 heading into the third.
The third period proved to be a shootout with the teams scoring four goals each to set up the stage for the overtime nail biter.
Budgell made it three straight goals for the Combines with just over five minutes gone in the final period, before Johanson got his first of the game to tie things back up.
The tie only lasted seconds though, as Roberts restored the Combines’ lead.
Johanson again tied the score just over a minute later and Doody gave the Braves a 5-4 lead with slightly more than five minutes to go.
It was Roberts again tying the game at 5, setting up what would be a wild last minute and a half.
Johanson put Springdale back in front with a minute and 14 seconds left, but Burton saved the day for Triton with 25 seconds remaining.
Green made sure the Green Bay South fans went home happy with the game winner.
Game 2 is scheduled for Jan. 19 in Springdale.
