Brewers win epic first game in OT

Ben Handberg of the Port Adelaide Brewers scored a goal with four seconds left in overtime to end a wild opening NHSL game that literally had everything.

There’s a lot to digest in the thrilling 4-3 opener in front of a sold out crowd.

There was a fight. There was a shorthanded goal. There was a goal within 30 seconds of puck drop. There was stellar saves (over 50 of them each) from both goaltenders. There were epic hits. Incredible shot blocks. There was even a goalie assist on the game winning goal.

It had everything except a power play goal.

The Brewers went 0-9, including a second period stretch with 6 opportunities and three 5-on-3s. The Stars returned serve in the final period and were 0-10 including an 0-7 third period.

The Stars thought they had it won after Jake Riley scored his second goal of the game with just four minutes left to play to put the team up by one goal late. Then the Brewers took yet another penalty.

But a costly own-zone turnover fell in the lap of sniper Steve Best who scored with two minutes left in the game while shorthanded to force overtime.

An overtime that saw both goalies make big saves. Oh…and a fight.

With three minutes left, Stars forward Zach Steele got tangled up with Brewers 17-year-old goalie Matus Trnka. Steve Best rushed in to his teammate’s defense and Steele dropped the gloves and prepared to dance.

Steele won the fight. But the Brewers won the game. And Trnka played a huge role in that too.

With 15 seconds left, Trnka played the puck behind the net, found Zach Boyle (who played every minute of overtime) who sent a stretch pass in to Ben Handberg who went in alone to beat Pete King for the winner with just four seconds left.

And that’s how it ended.

The goalies were epic. 50 saves from Trnka. 51 saves for King for the Stars.

Ben Handberg had a special evening and announced himself on the big stage. He tied the game at two early in the third period and won the game late. 

What a game.

SUMMARY