Mustang stickmen bow in double OT

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Tyler Valley drives toward the East Aurora goal during the Mustangs double overtime loss to the Blue Devils this afternoon at Vets Park.

A late scoring drought proved costly as Medina dropped a 12-11 double overtime decision to visiting East Aurora this afternoon at Vets Park in the Class C Division season opener.

Medina tied the game at 11-11 with 4:40 to go in the fourth quarter on a goal by Jake Cotter but could not score again.

Neither team could score in the first four minute overtime. However, East Aurora finally broke the deadlock as Gish netted the game winner for the Blue Devils late in the second overtime period.

Cotter finished with a total of 5 goals for the Mustangs as Brendan Luthart and Tyler Valley both scored 3.

Medina had jumped out to a 6-3 first period lead as Luthart scored 3 goals, Cotter 2 and Valley 1.

East Aurora though came battling back to first cut the deficit to one at 7-6 at the half and then to knot the contest at 8-8 at the three-quarter mark.

The Mustangs regained the lead twice in the fourth period, first at 9-8 on a goal by Valley, and then at 10-9 on a tally by Cotter but could not hold the advantage as East Aurora quickly answered with the equalizer both times.

The Blue Devils took a 11-10 lead but 4:58 remaining but Medina quickly answered with the equalizer just 18 seconds later as Cotter tallied what proved to be the Mustangs last goal.

Medina next visits Wilson at 5 p.m. Friday.

Mason Lewis brings the ball up field for the Mustangs.