Rovers Offense Rises, Takes Game 5

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

After being held relatively in check through four games, the explosiveness came back to the Baffin Island Rovers attack in game five as they overwhelmed Vesa Toskala for six goals on 34 shots, winning the match 6-1. The Rovers now take a 3-2 lead in the series.

After a scoreless first period which saw the Rovers outshoot the Vamps 11-7, Mark Recchi struck for two goals within 14 seconds to put the Rovers up 2-0. Those goals were quickly followed up by Kim Johnsson's first of the playoffs and Olli Jokinen's second of the post-season to give the Rovers a 4-0 lead going into the third. It was a lead they would not relinquish, as after Marek Zidlicky got the Vampyres on the board at the nine minute mark of the frame, Alex Frolov replied a minute later and Nathan Horton, in his first game of the playoffs, capped the scoring with seven minutes to play. Chris Mason made his third straight start, stopping 21 of 22 shots for the victory. "It was great to see all lines going", Stringer said of the win. "Fro, Rex, and Demitra were great, and Olli and Muzz were going. It was also good for Horts to get on the scoreboard after the time off. It's definitely a confidence boost heading back to Calgary".

Calgary is indeed where they are headed, as game 6 will go tomorrow. Expect no lineup changes for the Rovers, who will look to advance to the third round with a win.