Once again the Combines found themselves on the wrong end of their semi final game, as Richibucto punched their ticket to the finals and a spot in the provincials with a 9-5 win Friday night at the Tantramar Civic Centre.
Fighting for their lives, the Combines managed to compete with the Richibucto Rum Runners right up to the very end of this game.
The first period had the Combines attack first as Trever Peterson fired home his first of three on the night to give the Combines the early 1-0 lead. The Rum Runners responded quickly as Andy Joseph fired home a nice goal to tie the game 1-1.
The Combines responded as Nathan Phinney tipped home a point shot from defensemen Bryan MacLean on the power play to regain the lead 2-1.
The lead was short lived as the Rum Runners capitalized on a turnover in the Combines end and Even Levi picked up two goals less than one minute apart to regain the lead 3-2 heading into the third from nice passing plays from Scott Sack and Justin Johnson to head to the second with a one-goal lead.
The second period had the Combines fighting to extend the semi final series as they received goals from Myles Burns and Peterson, who fired home two goals in the period for the hat trick including a short period goal late in the period to tie the game at 5-5.
Responding for the Rum Runners was Cory Augustine and Jason Nelson who fired home power play goals while Ethenne Robichaud fired home a short handed goal to tie the game at 5-5 heading into the third.
With a short bench the Combines ran out of gas and the Rum Runners continued their assault as Justin Johnson scored halfway through the third to break the tie and give the lead to the Rum Runners for good.
Scott Sack and Kievyn Copage added insurance markers to end the game 9-5 and finish the Combines season.
Both goalies made key saves throughout the game but it was Mike Charlton suffering the loss and Antoine Boudreau picking up the win.
There were two fights in the game as Tommy Wheaton dropped the gloves with Tyson Augustine at the end of the first to help inspire the Combines in the second. The other tilt had the Combines' tough guy Nathan Phinnny easily handle Lucky Milliea to the delight of the large crowd of Sackville fans who gave a standing ovation for the entertaining bout.
The Rum Runners now move onto the finals and will host the Cap Pele Fishermen in the finals starting Sunday night in Richibucto. Both teams will move on and represent the ESHL league in the Senior A provincial tournament hosted by the Cap Pele Fishermen the first week of April.
