By Chris Megginson
PELHAM — Down 1-0 in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) Championship Finals, the Birmingham Bulls will look to even the best-of-three series and play spoiler tonight when they travel to Huntsville for Game 2 of the SPHL Presidents Cup Finals against the Huntsville Havoc.
The Bulls, which are seeking Birmingham’s first pro hockey championship, fell 4-3 in overtime Friday evening in the Game 1 of the best-of-three SPHL Presidents Cup Finals at Pelham Civic Center.
Huntsville’s Friday night win is its third-straight over the Bulls in 2019, moving the head-to-head mark between the two teams to 6-3 in favor of the Havoc.
Mike Davis gave the Bulls a 1-0 lead early in the first period Friday night, but the Havoc evened the score quickly to start the second period on a goal by Derek Perl. Less than a minute later, Sy Nutkevitch pushed Huntsville in front, 2-1. The Havoc added a short-handed goal by Tyler Piacentini in the 18th minute.
Birmingham capitalized on a power play in the opening minute of the third period as Davis and Geoff Crisfield helped Jacob Barber to a goal. Cole Golka tied it at 3-3 less than two minutes later off a double assist from Shane Topf and Mike Cracock.
Rob Darrar netted the game-winner with 5:44 off the clock in overtime.
Crisfield led the Bulls with two assists in the game. Jacob Barber also had one as the two teamed up on Davis’ opening goal.
Game 2 in Huntsville begins Saturday at 7:35 p.m. in the Von Braun Center in Huntsville. If the Bulls force a third game, it will be played Monday night in Pelham at 7:30 p.m.