Kings Continue Cinderella Story With OT Win

Entering the playoffs, almost no one would have predicted this Cinderella story. After defeating the North Division champion Blenheim Blades, the Dresden Kings now find themselves up 1-0 in their second round series against the Essex 73’s, who dominated the regular season, following a 5-4 overtime win Sunday night.

After Essex got on the board first on a goal by Matthew Hebert, Dresden’s Dylan Mertz, who led the opening round of the Great Lakes playoffs in scoring, potted a goal with assists going to Jesse Allen and Wendal Mertz.

Only two minutes later, veteran Dresden defenseman Jim Rouse put the Kings in the lead. Assisting on the goal was Jim McKinlay and Cam Ross.

In the second period, both goalies put on a show, keeping the score tied 2-2, where it would stay until the third period.

Dresden hit the scoresheet first in the third period, with Derek Daly scoring his first of the playoffs from Taylor Sisson and Cody McPhail. As the midway point in the period passed however, Corey Beaulieu would answer for Essex, knotting the game at 3-3.

Dylan Solecki scored again for Essex putting the 73s ahead 4-3 with only 5 minutes to go on the clock. Essex continued peppering Dresden netminder Brent Paxton, until Dylan Mertz scored his second of the game to send the home crowd into a frenzy with only 2:23 left in the game.

Paxton would continue to shut the door, helping his team reach overtime, making 38 saves in total during regulation.

After failing to score on a 5-on-3 powerplay in overtime, and with the entire arena on the edge of their seats, Jeremy Griffore unleashed a celebration unlike any Dresden has seen this season as he buried the overtime winner with 5:54 remaining in the first overtime period. Jim Rouse picked up his second assist, and third point of the evening on the goal, with Cam Ross picking up the other assist.

Dresden’s Cinderella story will continue to unfold Tuesday in Essex at 7:00pm.