What a comeback.

The Portage Islanders won 4-2 over Carman in Game 7 of the South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League Semi-final Saturday. They climbed their way back from a 3-1 series deficit to knock off the Beavers in Portage la Prairie

"It was definitely a battle," laughs Islanders' captain Anders Strome. "We knew it was going to be tough. Game 7's always have a lot of intensity. We knew they'd come hard but I was really proud of our effort. I thought we all played well, Mitch (Wiebe) played a great game and gave us a chance to win. We felt the series was a lot more even than the 3-1 score we faced going into game five. We played it one game at a time and we were fairly streaky this year so we knew we could put a few wins together, and we did when it counted."

It was a physical first period with both teams finishing their checks whenever the opportunity presented itself. The Beavers were first on the board. Mark Owen scored his first of the night, he deflected a point shot that found its way by Portage goalie Mitch Wiebe. Kyle Lopez answered right back for the Islanders to make it 1-1 two minutes later. Tanner Waldvogel and Anders Strome snagged the assists.

Carman took their second lead of the night four minutes into the middle period. Owen scored his second of the night to go up 2-1. After some back and forth hockey Portage managed to tie the game at 2. Waldvogel and Lopez connected again, this time it was Waldvogel who found the back of the net. Dan Leslie picked up the other assist. Strome scored on the powerplay to make it 3-2 Portage near the end of the second, and they held that lead to start the final 20 minutes.

The Islanders had a goal called back in the third period. They won the game 4-2 in Portage Mar. 11, 2017. (Photo by Aaron Wilgosh)

The Islanders seemed to carry the momentum into the third, putting the Beavers on their heels right at the start of the period. Their effort resulted in a few powerplay opportunities throughout. The Islanders found the back of the net halfway through the third, but the goal was called back because the net had been knocked off. The Islanders were awarded another powerplay with three minutes to go. Jordyn Boyd buried the insurance marker off a great cross-seam feed from Tanner Waldvogel to make it 4-2. They then rode out the final couple of minutes to clinch the victory.

"It was definitely an exciting series," says Islanders' General Manager Jeremy Brooks. "Carman kind of had our number all year, and when we were down 3-1 it was kind of looking grim but the boys pulled together. I'm definitely excited and happy to be moving onto the finals."

The Islanders move on the play Notre Dame in the SEMHL Final. The Islanders won the season series 2-1 against the Hawks. They had one regulation victory, an overtime victory, and a shootout loss. The final should begin later this week.