Heat Win Overtime Thriller

The Harrisburg Heat overcame a three goal 2nd half deficit to beat the Milwaukee Wave. Forward Fernando Gatica led the way for the Heat with two goals, including the game winner in overtime. Five different players scored for the Heat to give them a balanced offense attack. The Wave were led by Sean Totschand Max Ferdinand each registering two goals apiece.

The Heat saw themselves trailing early as Wave forward Ian Bennett scored the first goal of the game four minutes into action. With four minutes left in the first period the Heat answered with a goal from Lucio Gonzaga to tie the game at 1-1. The Wave found themselves in the lead once again early into the 2nd period when Sean Totsch scored on a free kick power play goal. Harrisburg had a chance to even things up just a few minutes later with a penalty kick but Wave goalie Rafael Dias made a nice diving save to deny Gonzaga of a 2nd goal. Milwaukee added a third goal midway through the 2nd period on another power play goal from Totsch.

Leading 3-1 early in the 3rd period, the Wave increased their lead with a goal from Max Ferdinand. Harrisburg answered back with a goal of their own from Tom Mellor with seven minutes left to play in the period. Two minutes later, Ricardo Carvalhoscored to pull Harrisburg within one.

Three minutes into the 4th period, Heat captain Val Teixeira scored to tie the game. Just 15 seconds later, Milwaukee took the lead right back with Ferdinand’s 2nd goal of the game. With nine minutes left in the game, Fernando Gatica tied the game for the Heat with his first goal of the game. The game would remain scoreless for the remainder of regulation.

With a minute and a half left in overtime, Gatica handled a loose ball in the corner and chipped it over the keeper’s head for the game winner.

The Heat outshot the Wave 20 shots to 15. Harrisburg goalie Hugo DaSilva had 8 saves compared to Dias’s 14 saves.The Heat are on the road next Saturday 11/18 to face off against the Syracuse Knights. Harrisburg return home to play the Florida Tropic on Friday 11/25.