By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

a wild (game) one

HJHL Playoffs: Wranglers take game one against Vipers

Feb 23, 2020 | 1:13 PM

While NHL teams were deploying emergency backups and scoring nine goals in a single game on Saturday, the Red Deer Vipers and Sylvan Lake Wranglers were starting their first playoff series together with a barnburner.

With Red Deer coming off a first round HJHL playoff bye, and Sylvan Lake a 3-1 series win over Rocky, the Wranglers strong-armed their way to a 7-6 double OT victory. In four games this season, Sylvan Lake beat Red Deer just once.

“That’s playoff hockey. You just can’t predict what’s going to happen and when it’s going to happen. It was a wild one for sure,” admits Wranglers Head Coach Pat Garritty. “We hadn’t played each other since before Christmas, so there was a feeling out period. It got a little crazy with odd-man rushes and things that a coaching staff cringes at, but that’s what makes the game so fun.”

Played at Servus Arena, the game saw Red Deer go up 2-0 early with goals from Tanner Scott and Jace Paarup. Sylvan tied it before the first intermission on tallies from Taite Opdendries and Beaudon Rider.

In the middle frame, the Wranglers’ Braidon Westin gave his team the lead with a shorthanded marker just 24 seconds in. Red Deer responded, Keaton Sawicki making it 3-3 at 6:46 of the period. But Sylvan went ahead again with a powerplay marker at 10:08 from Caileb Berge.

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Paarup tied it again for Red Deer just 1:24 later, and the home team poured it on scoring twice more to make it 6-4 Vipers headed to the third. Tanner Scott and Justin Paarup were the goal-scorers.

Things remained the same until late in the third when Berge scored his second powerplay goal of the night at 16:10 to draw the Wranglers back within one.

Then, with 46 seconds on the clock. Brett Westin equalized (assisted by older brother Braidon) to send the game to OT knotted at 6-6.

The 10 minute first overtime period was eventful thanks to a Vipers powerplay coming off a high sticking penalty to Sylvan’s Kody Wold. Red Deer, however, could not capitalize.

To begin the second OT, Red Deer had another chance with the man advantage, this time after a boarding penalty taken by Braidon Westin at the end of OT1.

But Sylvan Lake, who killed six of nine penalties all night, staved off the Vipers until Brett Westin could score (once again assisted by his bro) to seal the deal 5:26 into the fifth period of play.

“Red Deer’s a really good team,” Garritty says. “They’ve got lots of experience and depth, their back-end is skilled and moves the puck well, their goaltending is as good as anyone in the league, and they’re really well-coached. We’re taking this one game at a time.”

For Red Deer, the goal now is to bounce back in what will likely be a rowdy NexSource Centre (8 p.m., Feb. 23) for the Wranglers’ first home playoff game on Sunday night.

“I loved our start, but one thing I want our guys to learn is it doesn’t matter how many goals you’re up, the lead is never safe,” says JD Morrical, head coach of the Vipers.

“Everyone will be a little tired tonight, so I think whoever makes the least mistakes will win the game.”

Red Deer native and former Rebel/Spokane Chief Dawson Weatherill made 32 saves on Saturday and will get the start in game two. Cameron Loomis-Labrosse stopped 35 pucks in game one, but Sylvan’s starter hasn’t yet been determined.

Zachary Daniels had four assists for Sylvan Lake in game one, while Braidon Westin contributed one goal and three helpers. Jace Paarup was star of the night for Red Deer putting up two goals and four assists; brother Justin tallied one goal and four helpers.