Mackie’s OT winner keeps Wings alive in Robertson semis

Gage Mackie kept the Aberdeen Wings alive at the Essentia Health Duluth Heritage Center on Friday (May 12, 2017), his goal with 3:49 left in the first overtime period lifting the Aberdeen Wings to a 3-2 edge against the Aston Rebels to even their North American Hockey League Robertson Cup semi-final at a game apiece.

The goal gives the Wings some momentum after seeing a 2-0 lead evaporate early in the third period.

The only goal of the first two periods came from Carter Roo who put the Wings on the board just 32 seconds into the contest.

Roo added another 18 seconds into the third period but Dustin Manz finally found an opening for the Rebels at the 1:41 mark and 61 seconds later the game was tied after a goal by Kolby Vegara, setting the stage for Mackie’s overtime heroics.

Forbes Ploszaj made 34 saves in goal for the Wing to collect the win while Mareks Mitens stopped 30 shots for the Rebels.

The third and deciding game in this series will be played on Saturday (May 13) with the winner advancing to the Robertson Cup Championship game the following day.