Monsters sustain tough loss in overtime to Phoenix in first game of WSHL Western Division finals

Don Coyle (18) and Monte French (14) were on the ice for 3 goals (photo: Bob Martinez)

By Eddie Graveline, Glovedropper.com

The Fresno Monsters got the second round of the WSHL playoffs underway at Selland Arena on Sunday night. Anyone who may have thought the Monsters drew an easier opponent when the Phoenix Polar Bears eliminated the Idaho Jr. Steelheads, got a cold hard dose of reality when Phoenix pulled off a 6-5 come-from-behind win in overtime to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-3 series.

For the most part, the Monsters played a solid game during regulation. They didn't get off to a particularly good start, but they kept the game scoreless through the first period. Brendan McCarthy opened the scoring 2:11 into the second, though. He made a nice move to bring the puck in from the blue line after being set up by Matt Prigge and Brett Blomgren, then scored with a great shot from the face off circle. Phoenix came back and tied the game, but Jimmy Bashara blasted one in from the point at 9:41 to give the Monsters another lead. He stayed on the ice for the next face off and drew a penalty down in Phoenix's end, completing one of the best shifts any player had during the game. Phoenix came back and tied the game yet again, though. It was tied at two at the end of two, but the Monsters had outshot the Polar Bears 22-17 at that point.

The third period turned into a track meet. Donnie Coyle scored 1:31 in after Monte French made an awesome play to carry the puck into the Phoenix zone, then threw it out of the corner to the front of the crease for Coyle to finish. Roughly 5 minutes later, the Monsters took their first 2-goal lead of the game. Ryan Parkhouse deflected a shot from Coyle, while Cody Osburn also picked up an assist. Phoenix just wouldn't go away, though, and scored the next two goals, tying the game with just under ten minutes to play. With less than 5 minutes to go, Monte French scored to give the Monsters the lead yet again. Brendan McCarthy and Brett Blomgren assisted on that one, but the celebration didn't last long. Phoenix answered 19 seconds later and tied the game, sending it to overtime.

As overtime got underway, the play was back and forth, but things took a turn for the worse when Trevor Tracy was called for checking from behind. Phoenix scored at 6:44 on the resulting power play, ending the game and sucking the life right out of Selland Arena.

Obviously, the Monsters and their fans took the loss hard, but like coach Brandy Semchuk said after the game, "The great thing about a best-of-3 series is that we get another chance." The Monsters will have to tighten things up in their own end and figure out a way to get through Phoenix's neutral zone trap if they want to get through this series. Game 2 is at 7:05 Monday night at Selland Arena. If the Monsters win and force a third game, it will be at 7:05 on Tuesday, also at Selland.