Miners and Norsemen battle to a 2-2 draw.

CANADIAN PRESS (Sudbury, ON)

Goaltender Ben Bishop made 37 saves, including 10 in overtime, but it would solve nothing, as the Minnesota Norsemen and Sudbury Miners battled to a 2-2 draw on Monday night.

Both teams have been struggling entering the final stretch of the season.  After last night’s game, the Miners are now winless in 6 games, while the Norsemen are winless in 5.  The difference is that the Norsemen are battling with the Sanibel Islanders for the final playoff spot in the Canosa Conference.   They currently lead the Islanders by a point in the standings with both teams having played 75 games.

Given the importance of this game, the Norsemen started quick and jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Anders Lee and Tyler Seguin.  Goaltender Pekka Rinne was not very busy but was solid when called upon, turning aside all 8 shots directed his way.

After scoreless second period, the Miners began to press in the third and scored early.  Benoit Pouliot with his 3rd goal of the season cut the lead to one.  Despite being outshot 11-8 in the period, the Miners kept pressing and mid-way through period the Miners struck again.  Matt Calvert, with his 7th goal of the year, tied the game at 2-2.  That would be all scoring in the period. 

Despite dominating overtime, the Norsemen could not find a way past Bishop and the game would end in a tie.

The Miners were happy with their compete level in this game, especially versus a division rival.

“It's easy to prepare for games against these guys, or any division game.  We know what the standings are like, and what these games mean, especially to them.  You battle a bit more when you're playing a rival and a division team that's ahead of you in the standings," Bishop said.   “Playing in those tight games is good for our growth and gives us something to build on for next year.”


MINERS NUGGETS

- The Miners lost another defenceman due to injury.  Toby Enstrom suffered a hand injury early in the second period and will be re-evaluated on Tuesday.

- With Enstrom going down to injury, the timing of Darnell Nurse’s return from injury could not come at a better time.  He is expected in the line-up on Wednesday night.

- Rumours persist out of Sudbury that the Miners would be willing to trade any of their first round picks in the upcoming CCHL Entry Draft.  Word is they are looking for a young center in exchange for a pick.