James Neal scored with 1:25 remaining in the first period of overtime and the Springfield Thunderbirds came off a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 against Laval club in Game 5 of the 2018 final. Eastern Association of the American Hockey League.

The Thunderbirds led the series at 3-2. The sixth and seventh games, if necessary, will take place on Monday and Wednesday in Springfield.

We had a solid group, we showed it all season, Rocket head coach Jean-François Houle recalled. One game at a time we will do there.

The boys give their all in every game. Our group is great and we don’t need big speeches anymore.

Cayden Primeau held the Thunderbirds ’offense for a long time, but ultimately the Rocket goaltender didn’t do it all alone.

Neal played the hero by defeating Primeau from the short side with a shot from close range.

Yes, offensively, they took the lead on shots, but when we had a one-goal lead, we stayed a bit in our zone, underlining Houle. We defend well to try to leave with success.

On their goal, it hit a stick and entered it. Done in overtime, we had a breakaway and a chance at the crater. We had chances and we could win. In overtime, it can go one way or the othergiit ni Houle.

Rafael Harvey-Pinard scored twice for the Rockets. Primeau stopped 43 shots.

Nathan Todd and Dakota Joshua also scored for the Thunderbirds. Charlie Lindgren got his second start in the series and stopped 25 shots.

Little consolation, Rocket has continued to suppress the Thunderbirds ’power play, having missed 25 chances like it since the beginning of the series.

It doesn’t help when you get that many penalties, but it’s intense game, says Rocket defenseman Xavier Ouellet. I don’t know if the referees ’decision is always right, but we need to avoid the penalty bench.

Forwards Kevin Roy and Jean-Christophe Beaudin were added to the Rocket roster, taking over from injured center Nate Schnarr and defender Gianni Fairbrother. The Rocket therefore relied on the standard formation of 12 attackers and 6 defenders.

From the knock on the door

Primeau stood up early in the game by making two saves using the tip of the left pad when Rocket was shorthanded.

The Rocket then kicked into gear. Cédric Paquette reached the crossbar after a throw-in from Jesse Ylonen.

Harvey-Pinard gave the home team the lead after 11:32 of the game, in a power play. The fiery winger countered a two-man attack on one of the Thunderbirds with a nice drop, then he deflected a shot from Sami Niku behind Lindgren a few seconds later.

Lindgren redeemed himself with almost six minutes left in the first half. He made an amazing save against Danick Martel by stretching the left pad.

The Thunderbirds goaltender also reacted midway through the second period to prevent a near one-timer from Jean-Sébastien Dea.

However, Lindgren was unstoppable at 12:05 of the second period, when a cross pass from Harvey-Pinard to Paquette deflected defender Brady Lyle before crossing the goal line.

The Thunderbirds didn’t give up and were able to close the gap to 2-1 with 3:57 left in the second period. Todd moved the ropes in a great one-timer throw.

The Rockets wasted a good opportunity to regain their two-goal lead with just over nine minutes left in the third period. Tobie Paquette-Bisson missed the target following good performances by Gabriel Bourque and Lucas Condotta.

At the other end of the rink, Sam Anas startled Primeau, but saw his shot hit the pole.

Harvey-Pinard may have stunned the Thunderbirds in power play, but he also hit the post.

Joshua eventually tied the game with 4:24 left in the third period, when his shot was diverted to a rival before Primeau was surprised.

The Rockets also wasted two good chances in overtime. Martel slashed into the air with an open net in front of him, then Lindgren stopped Dea with a breakaway.

Neal finally allowed the Thunderbirds to have one last laugh.