Keitz Scores Golden Goal in Epic Stars Overtime Victory
KENT, Wash. – Cory Keitz scored a thrilling game winning golden goal in the first overtime period and the Tacoma Stars knocked off Soles De Sonora, 4-3, in an epic battle on Sunday night at the accesso ShoWare Center. The goal ended a game that featured 31 fouls and a grand total of 30 penalty minutes between the two teams. Franck Tayou continued his torrid start to the season with a brace for Sonora.
The game looked to be a 100% about face from the previous night’s contest with two goals in the early going, with Evan McNeley scoring two minutes in and Daniel Lopez tying it up 3:45 into the first period. But then the game got chippy, nasty, and eventually ugly including an elbow that left Duncan McCormick bloodied and out for the rest of the first half. The two angry teams took a 1-1 tie into the half.
Tayou scored both of his goals in the second period, temporarily putting Sonora up 2-1 and drawing the Soles level at 3-3 after Trevor Jensen tied it up and Philip Lund scored his eighth goal of the season for the Stars.
The two teams cleaned it up in the fourth period and Tacoma survived an onslaught of possession from Sonora, who controlled the ball for the last six minutes of regulation. Both teams had one-on-one opportunities thwarted in the last two minutes of the fourth and regulation came to an end still tied 3-3.
Sonora again controlled the ball for long stretches including a power play just 17 seconds into the overtime period. The Stars were able to kill the power play and finally got an opportunity on a counter-attack led by Raphael Cox. His shot hit the near board and Cory Keitz was in the perfect position to bury it past Soles keeper Juan Gamboa for the golden goal game winner with 4:43 left in the first OT period.
Danny Waltman made five saves in the win for the Stars, who played great defense in front of him blocking numerous shots throughout the contest, and the Stars escaped 2017 with their third win. Juan Gamboa made 10 saves for the Soles, who fall to 2-6 this season.
Tacoma now takes a holiday break but will return to the accesso ShoWare Center on the first Friday of 2018 facing the Ontario Fury in a crucial Pacific Division contest on January 5th. Tickets are available now by visiting www.tacomastars.com.
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