Twice before Velocity and Walser locked horns in the regular season and each time resulted in a one-goal game, both in overtime. It certainly felt like the same fate was about to occur in the semi-finals of Da Beauty League playoffs on Monday night. The result was the same, a one goal game and a win by Velocity who improved to 3-0 against Walser this year.

The game opened with the teams exchanging the game’s first four five goals with Velocity’s Eric Haula scoring :31 into the game from Jordan Schroeder and Justin Braun. The first eight minutes scorched with six goals scored. By the end of the first half, Velocity had opened a 6-3 lead on the strength of four straight goal by Schroeder, Jake Gardiner, Braun, and Shane Gersich.

A pair of Minnesota Wild players kept Walser in it on a goal by Walser’s Gustav Olofsson with 4:13 remaining in the first half and then early in the second half by Jason Zucker. Velocity kept working in their goal scoring spurts and it was Tyler Pitlick and Shane Gersich who opened up some breathing room at 8-4.

As all observers of Da Beauty League know, the games are far from over with a four goal lead. Walser goalie Zane McIntyre kept things close for his team making 15 saves in the second half and 25 for the game. Mikey Eyssimont scored back-to-back goals with his second coming with 5:33 remaining to cut the deficit to two goals. Anders Lee followed suit cut the deficit to one at 8-7 with 3:29 remaining in regulation time for Walser.

Hunter Miska stood tall with 22 saves in the second half to hold off the Walser surge and finished the game with 33 saves. Haula had a big game (1g-3a) to lead Velocity and his linemate Schroeder finished with (2g-1a). Justin Braun was a +3 and finished with (1g-3a).

Walser’s Jack Dougherty had 3 assists with Eyssimont (2g-1a) and Teddy Blueger (3a) leading the way for their team.

Velocity and Bic face off the the John Scott Cup on Wednesday evening at 7pm from Braemar Arena to close out the 2018 season.