Ice Llamas win in overtime, take 3-1 series lead

Owen Woolhouse scores OT winner. Famous Archies Ice Llamas can clinch Arena Series on St. Patrick’s Day

Famous Archies forward Mark Griffiths beats Studabakers Beachside goalie Chris Langstaff glove side.

The Famous Archies Ice Llamas are now one win away from capturing the SportsKlub Arena Series after a dramatic overtime victory that has pushed them to the brink of a championship.

The Ice Llamas defeated the Studabakers Beachside Leprechauns 8-7 in Game 4 of the best-of-seven final, giving them a 3-1 series lead with a chance to close things out Tuesday night at Brian Orser Arena.

Game 4 had all the swings of a playoff classic. The Ice Llamas jumped out to an early 4-1 lead and appeared to be firmly in control before the Leprechauns stormed back.

The green-clad side battled their way back into the game, eventually tying things late and sending the contest to overtime with the score locked at 7-7 after regulation.

Once again, Owen Woolhouse delivered the decisive moment. The Ice Llamas forward scored the overtime winner to seal the victory, adding yet another game-winning goal to his impressive career and putting his team within a single win of a second consecutive championship.

Offence has been the story throughout the series, and Game 4 was no exception.

Woolhouse continues to lead the Ice Llamas attack and enters Game 5 with 14 points, including 11 goals and three assists.

Leprechauns forward Mitchell Webb leads all players with 15 points, scoring 11 goals and adding four assists through the first four games.

Connor Flannery has been another key contributor for the Leprechauns with nine goals and four assists for 13 points, while teammate Nolan Inglis has matched that total with seven goals and six assists.

For the Ice Llamas, Mark Griffiths sits among the scoring leaders with 11 points, including eight goals and three assists. Tamara Evans has also played a major playmaking role with eight assists in the series.

Additional contributions have come from Dustin Guest with five goals and two assists, Josh Buys with four goals and two assists, Josh McCreith with three goals and three assists, and Joe Nieleszeruk with four goals and two assists.

In goal, Waylon Clay has handled the bulk of the work for the Ice Llamas, posting two wins and a .815 save percentage on 80 shots against. Leprechauns goaltender Chris Langstaff has recorded a .822 save percentage, including a 37-save performance in his lone start.

Despite the loss, the Leprechauns showed resilience in Game 4, battling back from a three-goal deficit to force overtime and keep the Ice Llamas from running away with the contest.

Now the series shifts back to Brian Orser Arena where the Ice Llamas will look to finish the job. Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday night, St. Patrick’s Day, with puck drop set for 9:30 p.m.