Things are getting interesting for the defending Kelly Cup champion Colorado Eagles, as they dropped Game 5 in overtime to the Wichita Thunder after a quick, game-winning goal in overtime from Thunder forward Ryan Van Stralen.
With the loss, the Colorado Eagles still lead the series 3-2 with another chance to eliminate the Thunder on Monday, April 23.
With the Thunder scoring the first goal of the game, the Eagles would be come up with a quick equalizing goal from Eagles forward Ryan Harrison.
Ryan Harrison giving us the answer we've been looking for!#EaglesCountry #DefendTheCup pic.twitter.com/lTxC6wiyuT
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) April 22, 2018
Following the goal from Harrison, the Thunder would score a late goal to reclaim the lead before the end of the first period.
To open up the second period, the Eagles would come up with the equalizer as Eagles forward Julien Nantel would convert on a breakaway.
Nantel firing it home for his 2nd of the playoffs and gets us tied at 2!#EaglesCountry #DefendTheCup pic.twitter.com/dI3mti3Pdq
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) April 22, 2018
Following the tying goal, the Eagles would be able to put plenty of pressure on the Thunder — outshooting the opposition 13 to 7 in the second period. Despite the Eagles pouring on plenty of shots, the Thunder would be able to score two goals to close out the second period to extend their lead.
With the game coming down to crunch time, the Eagles began to pour the pressure on once again — with Eagles forward JC Beaudin crashing the net to force puck past the Thunder goaltender to cut the Eagles deficit down to one.
Crashing the net, within one.#EaglesCountry #DefendTheCup pic.twitter.com/GxTv3CLuRI
— Colorado Eagles (@ColoradoEagles) April 22, 2018
Throwing everything the Eagles possibly had at Thunder goaltender Shane Starrett, the Eagles would finally catch a break with Drayson Bowman finding the back of the net to come up with the equalizer in the dying minutes of the third period to force overtime.
With the Eagles coming back from a two-goal goal deficit to force overtime, the Thunder would take advantage of an Eagles turnover to come up with the game-winning goal to force Game 6.