Ice Llamas erupt to even wild arena Series

Back-and-forth showdown features surprise goalies and offensive explosion as series heads to decisive Game 3 tied 1–1

Famous Archies forward Dustin Guest finds an opportunity in the slot during Game 2 of the 2026 Arena Series verus Studabakers.

The Famous Archie’s Ice Llamas answered back in a big way Saturday night, surviving a chaotic, back-and-forth Game 2 and outscoring the Studabakers Beachside Leprechauns 16–9 to even the SportsKlub Arena Series at one game apiece.

If Game 1 was about offence, Game 2 was about unpredictability. The biggest storyline began before puck drop when the Leprechauns were suddenly without their Game 1 winning goaltender. Bill Griffin informed his wife at 5:30 p.m. he would be heading out to play hockey on Valentine’s Day, a decision that ultimately kept him out of the lineup and forced a last-minute trade that brought Cody Koesdibyo into the Leprechauns crease.

The Ice Llamas had their own surprise in net as well. With Waylon and Colton Clay unavailable, Braeden Price was signed shortly before the game and immediately thrown into action. Once the puck dropped, the teams delivered one of the wildest offensive games in Arena Series history.

Joe Nieleszeruk opened the scoring for the Ice Llamas and quickly established himself as a playmaking engine, assisting repeatedly as the game turned into a track meet. Owen Woolhouse followed with two early goals off feeds from Nieleszeruk, and the Ice Llamas never let the pace slow.

The Leprechauns countered through Mitchell Webb, who took over offensively. Webb scored four times in the game and added multiple helpers in transition rushes as Studabakers repeatedly clawed back within reach. Every push was met with an answer.

Mark Griffiths produced a dominant night for the Ice Llamas, scoring five goals and adding assists while working the middle of the ice, and Dustin Guest piled on four goals of his own including two late tallies that helped create separation. Josh McCreith added two goals and multiple assists, and Woolhouse completed a hat trick as the Llamas’ top line generated offence nearly every shift.

For the Leprechauns, Aidan Baxter scored three times in his series debut and Connor Flannery recorded a two-goal multi-point performance while helping drive zone entries. Nolan Inglis and Mitchell Hurtubise each contributed key setups, with Hurtubise recording assists for his first official Arena Series points.

Despite stretches where the Leprechauns appeared ready to swing momentum, the Ice Llamas consistently responded. By the late stages, the offensive depth and constant pressure from the Llamas proved decisive. When the final buzzer sounded, the Ice Llamas had tied the best-of-seven series 1–1, erasing the opening loss and resetting the matchup into a now shortened best-of-five.

After two games featuring 45 total goals, this year's series has established itself as speed-driven and unpredictable, with neither side able to control pace for long.

There will be no game next Saturday, with the Arena Series resuming Sunday, Feb. 28 at 8:45 p.m. at Rotary Place for a pivotal Game 3.