The Altona Maroons moved a step closer to the .500 mark thanks to a 4-3 overtime victory over the Morden Redskins on Saturday night at Sunflower Gardens.

Brett Klassen scored early in the extra session and says that second point for the OT win which enabled Altona to catch Morden for sixth place in the South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League was big for the team.

“It's time to start climbing up the standings,” said Klassen. “We only have six games left. That extra point today was really huge especially since we were behind Morden.”

Klassen netted the winner 37 seconds into overtime as his shot along the ice from 22 feet out beat Redskins netminder Reed Peters.

“I was just trying to throw it on net and get Matt Dyck a rebound there but it ended up squeaking through so I'll take it.”

Tyler Dittmer scored his 15th and 16th goals of the season for the Maroons who improved to 6-8-1 on the season and will face the Islanders in Portage on Sunday.

Altona had a chance to win the game in regulation.

Matt Dyck's goal with 4:16 left gave the Maroons a 3-2 lead but Redskins defenseman Derek Holenski beat Altona goaltender Jayme Janzen with 1:46 remaining in the third period.

Nick Doyle and Kris Williams had the other two Morden goals.

“We played hard today,” said Redskins coach Mark Thiessen. “We tied it up with a minute-and-a-half left to get a point out of it and Reed - nine out of 10 - isn't going to let that one in but those happen. We're happy with the point coming into this rink.”

The Notre Dame Hawks, who defeated the Warren Mercs 4-3 in overtime Saturday night, lead the SEMHL with 28 points. The defending champion Carman Beavers have 24 and are one point ahead of the third place Islanders. The Mercs hold down fourth place with 17 points. The Winkler Royals are next with 14 points. The Maroons and Redskins have 13 points each and the Stonewall Flyers are in the cellar with eight points.

 

Saturday was CFAM Night at the Maroons