The Jamestown Ironmen grabbed another last minute victory Saturday evening with a 2-1 win over the Springfield Jr. Blues in North American Hockey League action at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena.
It was a defensive struggle for a majority of the game as the score became 1-1 with nearly six minutes left in the first period and didn't change until less than a minute was left in the third.
With time winding down in the final period of regulation, the score was knotted at 1-1 and the contest looked destined for overtime. Luc Gerdes changed all that when he knocked in a rebound goal off of the Springfield goaltender with only 17 seconds on the clock to seal the Ironmen's win.
Article Photos
Joe Mottiqua of the Jamestown Ironmen breaks away against the Springfield Jr. Blues during Saturday’s North American Hockey League game at the Jamestown Saving Bank Arena. See additional photos at cu.post-journal.com.
P-J photo by Scott Reagle
The goal was Gerdes' sixth on the season while Ross Pavek added his third goal of the year on a power play early in the first period.
"We believe in each other out there on the ice," said Ironmen head coach and general manager Dan Daikawa. "We play defense first and have faith that someone will step up and make a play offensively when we need it, and it has been working."
Jamestown was slightly outshot in the game, 27-23, but Reid Mimmack had a stellar day in the net for Jamestown (6-2-2) making 26 saves.
Assists went to Brett Szajner, Dylan Zink and Daniel Cesarz for the Ironmen.
Although Springfield's record is unimpressive at 1-7-2, Daikawa explained that they are a good team with a lot of young talent, but with an inability to finish games. They are very similar to Jamestown last season.
"That has been the difference for us so far this season," said Daikawa. "We are able to finish games and record wins."
The Ironmen picked up four out of four possible points this weekend on their home ice .
Jamestown will travel to Michigan to take on the Warriors in a pair of games set for Friday and Saturday.