For such a wild, offensive game with three crossbars and a post between the MacEwan Griffins and UNBC Timberwolves on Sunday, a scoreless draw seemed the likely result as the match wound down to the final whistle.
Stu Rowlands found some daylight in the middle of the defence and charged in on keeper Seth Johnstone, who got a piece of his shot, but it landed right on the boot of unchecked Owen Stewart, who cashed in the empty net.
“Absolutely it’s disappointing and it’s frustrating,” said Griffins head coach Adam Loga, whose team lost to UBC a day earlier on a goal in the 87th minute. “Again, I don’t have the answers for it.
Both teams had a right to be frustrated over missed chances. The game log is filled with 10-bell opportunities that went unconverted.
Griffins striker Everett Orgnero then had two glorious chances. He was in alone in the 28th but couldn’t beat keeper Daniel Zadravec before hitting the post in the 33rd minute off an inspired run down the right side.
UNBC hit back with Jonah Smith heading a free kick from the side of the box off the crossbar in the 66th and Preston hitting his second crossbar of the day in the 71st.
Finally, they found the right finish to put the game away.
And it’s all MacEwan can continue to do, despite now falling four games below .500 on a season so tight they could easily have a winning record.
UNBC returns to Prince George to host UBC on Sept. 27 and 29, while the Griffins next visit Mount Royal University on Sept. 28 and Calgary on Sept. 29.