MacDougall nets the winner in OT

By Neil H. Devlin, Mullen Sports Information Director
Mullen downs Chatfield 2-1 in well-played thriller; Denver East is next.
 
LITTLETON – Ask any ice hockey player. Scoring the winning goal in overtime? It’s sweet.

It happened for Mullen’s Ian MacDougall on Monday. Off a faceoff from the right circle that pushed play to the Chatfield net, the winger deposited one to clinch the Mustangs’ 2-1 victory in OT at The Edge Ice Arena.

Their fourth victory in five outings pushed the Mustangs to 6-8 overall and 2-6 in the Highlands Conference. Chatfield, which beat the Mustangs 5-2 on Jan. 18, is 4-7-1, 2-5.

It also was MacDougall’s first OT game-winner and his third score on the season.

Peter Osborne won the faceoff for the Mustangs, drove play by tipping it to the goal and MacDougall said “I was back door, it made it to me and I shot it in. It was really exciting.”

MacDougall’s score capped what had been a good, overall effort for the Mustangs, one in which they had to work through a series of shots being tipped and blocked.

“Especially the first 10 minutes, we played well,” Mustangs head coach Devon Brady said. “We couldn’t get anything to go, then we resorted back to ‘I ... ‘I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna save the day.’ Winning is hard. We’re still learning how to win.

“The fact that we were able to stick with it was good.”

Brady also cited Osborne’s move off the faceoff, “like an offensive lineman … he did a great job.”

Scoring was at a premium. Chatfield made it 1-0 11 minutes into the first period as Mullen, which finished with a 32-29 edge in shots on goal, created numerous chances, but couldn’t finish. Not until 13:12 of the third period were the Mustangs able to tie it. Just before junior Robby Witwer was about to be boarded in the right corner – the Chargers would be whistled for a 5-minute penalty – he slipped a pass out front to Larry Simons, passing through the doorstep, for the equalizing score.

The Mustangs’ momentum carried over into the extra session and they hope it lasts into Saturday, when they will host Denver East in conference at 6:15 p.m.

“We’re really excited and the team morale is up,” MacDougall said.

Said senior goalie Connor Mahon, who was sharp throughout and stood tall when needed: “It’s great. It took us a while to get on the board there, but once we did we were OK.

“We played very well, (the Chargers) didn’t have many chances. Hopefully, we can keep going.”
 
MULLEN 2, CHATFIELD 1

Chatfield 1 0 0 0 -- 1

Mullen 0 0 1 1 -- 2

Mullen goals -- Larry Simons, Ian MacDougall.

Mullen assists – Robby Witwer, Nick Gilbert, Peter Osborne.

Mullen saves – Connor Mahon 28.
 
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