The St. Cloud Norsemen claimed a 3-2 win in overtime in game four on Saturday night in Bismarck, ND to keep the season alive in thrilling fashion. Forward Peyton Hanson scored the overtime game-winning goal 13:29 into overtime off a feed from Evan Murr (Minnesota State-Mankato).
Facing elimination, the Norsemen evened the best of five series at 2-2 with the road win Saturday night.
The deciding winner-take-all game five will take place Monday night at the St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex, 7:00 p.m. puck drop! Tickets are on sale for just $5 at tickets.stcloudnorsemen.com — Youth hockey players, wear your jerseys to the game and get in FREE! The Norsemen playoff beer special will continue as well, with Coors & Coors Light available for just $2.
In game four on Saturday, St. Cloud got on the board in the first period, trailing 1-0, when forward Ethan Benz chipped the puck in to tie the game 1-1.
Trailing 2-1 in the third period, forward and captain Nik Hong (Dartmouth) scored a net-front goal to tied the game once again, 2-2, and force overtime with just 5:01 remaining in the game.
With 6:31 remaining, Hanson stepped up in the right circle and sniped the puck past Bobcats goalie Oskar Spinnars Nordin to secure the victory for St. Cloud, 3-2 in overtime.
The Norsemen outshot Bismarck 44-19. St. Cloud goaltender Tomas Bolo made 17 saves for his 31st win of the season.
Hong finished with a goal and two assists, while Benz had a goal and an assist. Murr had two assists and defenseman Leo Gruba (Hill-Murray) picked up an assist as well.
Come for the overtime game-winning goal… stay for the postgame interview and big welcome off the ice for the man who scored the game-winner, Peyton Hanson!#WeTheNorse ⚫️⚪️🔵 pic.twitter.com/DKqIJPU9mD
— St. Cloud Norsemen (@StCloudNorsemen) May 1, 2022
St. Cloud is the top seed in the Central Division playoffs after winning the regular season title. The Norsemen won the 42nd game of the season with the OT win on Saturday. The winner of game five and the series between St. Cloud and Bismarck will face the Aberdeen Wings for the Central Division Finals and a chance to play for the North American Hockey League’s Robertson Cup. The Norsemen Playoffs are presented by Premier Real Estate Services.
Game five will be broadcast live for subscribers on HockeyTV with Voice of the Norsemen, Ashley Chase.
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