For the second time in as many nights, the Yellowstone Quake pulled away in the third period of their NORPAC America West hockey playoff game against the Missoula Maulers to claim victory. Nick Hinsberg provided the go-ahead goal midway through the final period Wednesday night and Andrew Lord put the final touch on a 5-3 win with an empty net goal with seconds remaining.
The result gives the Quake a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
"This was a big win," noted Quake coach Sean Hogan. "If we go to Missoula tied at one game each, then it is a whole new series. Especially since we sort of backed into home ice advantage, we're very happy to be ahead two games to none."
Hinsberg's go-ahead goal came just 45 seconds after Missoula struck to tie the game at 3-3. It also filled a sort of recurring theme of the evening. Every time the Maulers got the game back to level, the Quake were there in short order to celebrate another goal.
"We never panicked," said Hogan. "We just went out and found an answer."
Mathew Schulz opened the scoring with a first-period goal. Tyler Boyce and Chris Rinaldi added tallies in the second period to set the table for the last 20 minutes. Lord and Hinsberg each finished with two assists on the night.
"We've still got some work to do on the defensive zone," Hogan said. "We'll address it, but I think we're in good shape."
The series heads to Missoula for games Friday and, if necessary, Saturday. Game 5, if needed, will be back in Cody at 4 p.m., Sunday.
Should the Quake win any one of those games, Cody will host playoff games next Tuesday and Wednesday in the NORPAC America West championship series. For the second night in a row, Helena scored a 4-2 win over Billings on Wednesday to take a 2-0 lead in that series.
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