Cormier leads the way in OT win

AMHERST, NS — The Amherst Ramblers bounced back Saturday night, battling to earn a thrilling 6–5 overtime victory over the Miramichi Timberwolves at Amherst Stadium.

The Ramblers faithful witnessed a back-and-forth affair, with both clubs trading momentum before Amherst’s final push.

Amherst struck first just 3:19 into the game, as Evan Nicholson opened the scoring with a goal set up by Zach Wheeler. The Timberwolves stormed back with two quick goals, as Beatty and Tremblay put Miramichi ahead 2–1 by 4:47. The Ramblers battled back midway through the first when Cooper Cormier tied the game at 9:11, assisted by Anthony Gaudet.

Entering the second period deadlocked, Amherst regained the lead late in the stanza when Cormier scored his second of the night at 15:55, again assisted by Gaudet.

The third period saw both teams trading goals in a spirited display. Mark Corbett extended Amherst’s lead early at 5:16, with Elliot Wright earning the helper. Miramichi answered just 39 seconds later through Eustace, before Amherst’s Ty Peddigrew restored a two-goal edge at 8:31, with Gaudet collecting his third assist of the night. The Timberwolves weren’t finished, as Giguère and Campbell netted late goals to make it 5–5 heading to overtime.

Just 44 seconds into the extra frame, the Ramblers secured the dramatic win. Cormier completed his hat trick with a slippery finish, assisted by Owen Aura and Gaudet, sending the home crowd into celebration.

Amherst outshot Miramichi 49–40 and finished 0-for-8 on the power play, while Miramichi was 0-for-2 with the man advantage. In goal, Brandon Lavoie made 35 saves to earn the victory between the pipes.

The Ramblers will look to build on this momentum as they continue their Maritime Junior Hockey League campaign on Friday night, as they head to Yarmouth for a match-up with the Mariners.