Ryan Graham, Observer Reporter
The Quesnel Kangaroos are heading back to the second round of the playoffs after upsetting the number two ranked Smithers Steelheads. Down one, Quesnel came all the way back to take two games in Smithers last weekend winning the series 2-1 to advance to the second round, where they will play the number one ranked Williams Lake Stampeders.
After dropping the first game at home on Feb. 2 by a score of 7-5 the Kangaroos knew they needed to step up their game and did they ever, as they took the cru- cial second game 7-4 to stay in the series and then the deciding third game 2-1 in overtime to finish off the series.
The second game saw the Kangaroos have an offensive explosion as they scored four goals in the second and added anoth- er three in the third. Quesnel was led by Nolan Parr who had three goals on the night and Brandon Mistole who collected two goals and two assists. From the drop of the puck Quesnel dominated the play as they put a total of 59 shots on net, severely outshooting the Steelheads who only managed 28.
The third game would see the Kangaroos complete the comeback as they picked up the 2-1 victory in overtime, in closely contested game. Both teams knowing it was an elimination game came out flying looking for the early advantage, displaying good skill on the ice.
Smithers would strike first as they wired one past Shane Mainprize of the Kanga- roos, getting the critical first goal. After neither team were able to find the back of the net in the second, the outlook of the game looked bleak for the Kangaroos as they entered the third but Alessio To- massetti would draw Quesnel even with a power play marker to give Quesnel life.
Both teams couldn’t find another goal to pull ahead in regulation, so it would head to overtime to decide who would advance to play Williams Lake.
After no scoring in the first half of extra time Quesnel would cause a turnover and take it into Smithers zone, where Mistole would fire the puck past David Little of the Steelheads to win the game and the series.
The Stampeders and Kangaroos will now renew their rivalry in the second round of the Central Interior Hockey League playoffs with the first match Sat- urday in Quesnel.
Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m.
