OTTAWA - Riley Brace had a goal and an assist as the Mississauga Steelheads kept their playoff chances alive by holding off the Ottawa 67's for a 4-3 victory on Saturday afternoon in the Ontario Hockey League.
Leading 2-0 heading into the third period, the Steelheads allowed the 67’s to tie the game 2-2 before pulling out the win in their final game of the regular season.
The Steelheads (26-34-8) jumped from ninth to seventh in the Eastern Conference and ensured at least a one-game tiebreaker in their quest to qualify for the playoffs.
Mississauga has 60 points, while the Peterborough Petes have 59 and the Kingston Frontenacs 58 in the battle for the final two playoff spots.
The Petes are in Brampton to close out their regular season Sunday afternoon against the Battalion while the Frontenacs host the 67’s (16-45-6), who will finish last in the league.
"Tomorrow is going to be sitting on the couch seeing what we can do," said Steelheads defenceman Stuart Percy, who scored the eventual winning goal into an empty net Saturday.
"Now I’m an Ottawa 67’s fan. Hopefully they’ll come out guns a blazing and steal two points from Kingston for us."
Dylan Smoskowitz and Brace gave the Steelheads a 2-0 lead after the first period.
Brendan Bell and Mark Petaccio scored for the 67’s in the third to tie the game.
Trevor Carrick gave the Steelheads a 3-2 lead with less than three minutes to play. After Percy's empty-netter, Ryan Van Stralen scored for the 67’s with 13 seconds to play.