By Scott Roblin

Sun Devils shock Axemen twice to advance to South semi-finals

Jul 8, 2018 | 9:35 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Tanner Simpson scored the goal to open a wild mini-game at the Kinplex and was the one to book the Medicine Hat Sun Devils in the RMLL South semi-finals on Sunday.

The Sun Devils staved off elimination twice against the Calgary Axemen, winning both Game 2 of their best-of-three series and a mini-game to advance in playoffs.

Losing their playoff opener 16-14 on Saturday night, the Sun Devils needed a victory in the second full game of their series to have a chance at advancing.

Sun Devils veteran Zack Wilson led the charge in the first period by scoring all four of Medicine Hat’s goals to put his crew ahead 4-2 at the break.

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Rejuvenated after the intermission, the turning point came early in the second frame for the Sun Devils as they peppered Calgary with six straight goals to open the period and take a 10-2 lead.

The Axemen fought back however in a period that saw 15 goals, pulling to within a 13-8 score heading to the third frame.

Any doubt of a Sun Devils victory was erased within the first eight minutes of the third, as Medicine Hat found the back of the net four times and rolled to a 19-10 win to keep their season alive.

Wilson was a monster on the floor for Medicine Hat, who were without sniper Aidan McLean, netting seven goals while Simpson recorded a hat-trick to continue his strong post-season.

The next hurdle came just under a half an hour later, as the Sun Devils and Axemen hit the floor for a 10-minute mini-game to decide who would advance in their series.

Simpson scored just 13 seconds into the mini-game, helping to give Medicine Hat a 5-1 lead over the Axemen with less than five minutes remaining.

Calgary began nibbling away at the deficit though, scoring a trio of late goals to pull within one with just 1:46 left on the clock.

But, Simpson proved to be the hero with a crucial goal with 1:28 left from Daniel Drefs to give Medicine Hat a 6-4 win and a thrilling 2-1 win in the South quarter-finals series.

Coming off his best game ever as a Sun Devil, Simpson said it’s an incredible feeling knowing they get to continue their season.

“We did it, we did it as a team,” said Simpson. “Nothing feels better, just to sit there and realize that you won the first round of playoffs.”

Assisting on the series-clinching goal, Drefs had a huge mini-game as well with two goals and the helper.

Sun Devils head coach Chris Loran said after the 19-10 victory in Game 2, his club was able to take advantage of a tired Axemen squad.

“Basically, just keep going,” said Loran. “We knew we had the offensive advantage going into the third game, just momentum being on our side. We knew we had to get out early and be strong, so that’s exactly what we did.”

Advancing to South semi-finals, the Sun Devils will have a monstrous task ahead of them in the RMLL’s top team in the 17-1 High River Heat.

Medicine Hat lost both meetings against High River this season, but Simpson said they’ll have a chance if they focus on their strategy ahead of the series.

“Practice hard and stick to our game plan,” he said. “We have a game plan going into every series and obviously it worked this one. So, hopefully it works in the next one too.”

It’s expected the South semi-finals will begin either July 20 or July 21 to kick off a best-of-three series with a spot in the South finals on the line.