Despite a heart-breaking overtime loss yesterday in Buffalo, the Chargers managed to pickup three of a possible four points on the weekend to move into the sixth and final West Division playoff position.
By earning a point in their 6-5 overtime loss to the Junior Sabres, the Chargers inched past the Milton IceHawks by a single point in the standings after the IceHawks were beaten 6-2 yesterday by the Oakville Blades.
Those results have set up a showdown next weekend when the Chargers and the IceHawks meet in a home-and-home series. The Chargers will travel to Milton Friday night and the two teams will hook up Saturday night at the Port Credit Arena.
“Those two games are paramount,” Mississauga coach Jay Anderson said after yesterday’s game. “That’s the whole season right there. We’re the masters of our own destiny.”
The Chargers appeared to be out of the playoff picture as recently as two weeks ago. But they’ve refused to give up and have four wins in their last six starts in their climb up the ladder.
The Sabres spoiled Mississauga’s hopes of a perfect weekend by scoring with less than five minutes remaining in the third period to tie the game 5-5 and then won the game two minutes into overtime.
Adam Bevilacqua, Bruce Crawford, Chris Randell, Jason Swit and Daniel Fazzalari scored the Mississauga goals.
Crawford also added an assist and his two-point effort allowed him to take over top spot in the league’s individual scoring race. Crawford has 37 goals and 54 assists for 91 points, two ahead of Paul Rodrigues of the Vaughan Vipers.
Goaltender Derek Brennan stopped 46 of 52 shots against Buffalo.
The Chargers went into yesterday’s game after beating the Brampton Capitals 5-4 in overtime Saturday night at Port Credit.
Erman Ali’s goal with less than two minutes to go in the extra frame gave the Chargers the win.
“I’ve scored some goals in tournaments when I was playing in North York, but nothing as big as this one,” said Ali. “Especially with the push on to make the playoffs. Getting that second point for the win is really important.”
Brent McGrail forced Saturday night’s game to overtime when he scored his 29th goal of the season with under four minutes to play in the third period, tying the game 4-4. Kris Schmidt, Adam Ancona and Bevilacqua had the other Mississauga goals.
Brennan turned in a brilliant effort with 29 saves. He stopped Brampton’s Mike Iwanski on a penalty shot late in the second period and he may have made his biggest save of the night when he foiled Tyler Leimbrock on a breakaway just seconds before Ali scored the overtime winner.
