Brampton scored two goals in the final five minutes to break open a 1-1 tie and escape The Family Arena with a 3-1 win to split the weekend series.
An evenly played first period that saw the Chill outshoot Brampton 7-4 tilted in favor of the Beast (22-19-3) at the 15:44 mark when Steve Ward scored his first, send the visitors to the locker room with a 1-0 lead. The opportunities were limited in the first for both teams. Things would loosen up in the second.
St. Charles (10-29-5) would continue to throw shots on net but Beast goalie Kristofer Westblom made some outstanding saves before Kyle O’Kane sliced through the slot and fired his own rebound over the glove to tie the game at 1-1 midway through the period. The Chill kept the shots coming against Westblom, putting up 14 in the period, but the teams would enter the locker rooms tied at 1-1.
The third period was more of the same. Tight skating and limited offensive chances for most of the period before the Beast took the lead with a power play goal at the 14:42 mark from Tyler Butler. Just over three minutes later the Beast would put the game away with a one-timer from in tight by Andrew Fornier for the 3-1 lead. A late surge from the Chill was held off by Brampton as the two teams split the weekend series.
The Chill is back on the ice Saturday with a road game against Quad City before the Mallard return to the Family Arena Sunday, February 9th for Faith and Family Night. Traveling mascot group Fur Circus will join the entertainment and there will be a postgame convocation from former River Otter Charlie Blyth as well as concert from local Christian rock band Broken 4 One. For more information, group ticket packages, and sponsorship opportunities visit StCharlesChill.com.
