A’s push Flyers to brink of elimination

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Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer

The defending champs are on the ropes.
The visiting Grande Prairie Athletics erased a 4-2 second period deficit to score four unanswered goals to win 6-4 and take a commanding 3-1 series lead in their West Division Semi-Final Tuesday night.

Brock Clement and Braden Crone gave GP a 2-0 first period lead but a late goal from Ryan Forbes on the power play drew FSJ to within one goal 2-1.
In the second, FSJ took command with three goals. Adam Horst, Rylan Sideroff and Tanner LeSann scored even strength goals and it looked like the series would be tied heading back to GP Thursday.
But the A’s had other plans.
Mark Stojan and Andrew Buote scored in the first 12:53 and the game was suddenly tied. Blake Clement’s goal only 38 seconds after Buote’s effort gave GP the lead, then Dennis Rix scored a shorthanded goal into an empty net with eight seconds left to seal the win.
Game 5 is back in GP Thursday.

Athletics 6 at Flyers 4
Tuesday, Feb. 12
[GP leads series 3-1]

First period
1. GP, Brock Clement 1 (Tyrell Mason, Paul Larocque) 3:48
2. GP, Braden Crone 1 (Andrew Buote, Tanner Labbe) 6:58
3. FSJ, Ryan Forbes 1 (Kelly Loudoun, Tanner LeSann) 16:32 (pp)
Penalties: Paul Larocque GP (hooking) 6:38, Kelly Loudoun FSJ (tripping) 6:50, Kelvin Neustaeter GP (slashing) and Blake Clement GP (misconduct) 15:31.
Second period
4. FSJ, Adam Horst 7 (Daylen Pearson) 00:17,
5. FSJ, Rylan Sideroff 1 (Tanner LeSann, Joey Massingham) 6:38,
6. FSJ, Tanner LeSann 1 (Kelly Loudoun, Sam Brennan) 8:34
Penalties: Reid Campbell FSJ (holding) 5:34, Morgan MacLean GP (slashing) 5:38, Sam Bosek GP (elbowing) and Josh Bennett FSJ (holding) 7:54, Paul Larocque GP (slashing) 12:49, Josh Bennett FSJ (interference) 18:10.
Third period
7. GP, Mark Stojan 2 (Mackenzie Caron, Tyrell Mason) 4:49
8. GP, Andrew Buote 1 (Dennis Rix, Lynden Lewis) 12:53
9. GP, Blake Clement 1 (unassisted) 13:31
10. GP, Dennis Rix 3 (Blake Clement, Tyrell Mason) 19:52 (en)
Penalties: Morgan MacLean GP (hooking) 18:55, Tyrell Mason GP and Adam Horst FSJ (slashing) 19:52.
Shots on goal:

Grande Prairie	15	11	14	-40

Fort St. John	 8	14	10	-32


Goaltenders: Athletics, Kiefer Smiley; Flyers, Travis McLean.

Power Plays: GP 0-3; FSJ 1-5.

Penalties in Minutes: GP 24; FSJ 10.