THE 77\'S SALVAGE THE WEEKEND WITH SHOOTOUT WIN ON SUNDAY

In a weekend billed as their most important of the season the 77\'s unfortunately lost ground on the teams that they were trying to catch.

On Friday night the troop from Oro-Medonte travelled north on Hwy 11 to tangle with Dylan Sontag and the first place South Muskoka Shield and were given a lesson as to why the Gravenhurst bunch hold that distinction.  After a solid first period and a late goal by Taylor Stout the visitors trailed 2-1 heading into the break.

The second period however was the 77\'s downfall.  Four unanswered goals, including 3 shorthanded markers, by the Shield put them in the lead for good.

The 77\'s showed some spirit in the final frame as the outstanding rookie forward, Ryan Brain tallied a hat trick in just over 5 minutes of play.  It was not enough however, as Sontag\'s 5 goal performance was enough to keep the 77\'s at bay as the Shield took this one, 7-4.

On Saturday night, the 77\'s hosted the Nipissing Alouettes, who currently sit just ahead of the home side in the standings.  A crucial game should the 77\'s have any aspirations of catching the Al\'s for home ice in the playoffs, however the Al\'s were the better team on this night, edging the 77\'s 5-3 with a late empty net marker.  This game marked the return of ex-77\'s David Tagvoryan and Arthur Ketchedjian in their first matchup since the blockbuster trade in December.  The two new Al\'s didn\'t disappoint their new club as the two combined for 5 points in the victory.  The special teams were the key in this one for the home side as they were subject to three 5 on 3 powerplay disadvantages, resulting in two against and they were unable to tie the game late in the third with their own 3 minute, 5 on 3 powerplay.

On Sunday, the 77\'s travelled to Cannington to battle with another divisional rival, the Brock Bucks.  Two early powerplay goals by the Bucks had the home side heading into the break with a comfortable edge.  After some regrouping in the intermission the 77\'s came out flying as Toby Kathan replied 14 seconds into the second.  A second goal from Kathan and others from Ryan Brain and new comer Jason Sills, had the game tied at four.  Overtime settled nothing and the game went to a shootout.  Ryan Brain went first and was the only skater to score as goalie Ryan Fitzsimmons stopped all three Buck shooters giving the 77\'s the extra point.

The 77\'s will travel north to Elliot Lake and Espanola this weekend and will return home for a rematch with the Bucks on Wednesday, February 4 @ 7pm at the Oro-Medonte icehouse.