ALPENA — After erasing a two-goal deficit in the third period, Escanaba hockey fell short in a 6-5 loss to Capital City on Wednesday.

Trailing 4-2 entering the final frame of regulation, Esky’s special teams units began to turn momentum back in its favor.

Off a pass from Nolan Bink, Graham Johnson buried a power play goal to put the Eskymos back to within a goal. Three minutes and six seconds later, the Caps clapped back with a power play goal of their own to extend their lead to 5-3.

With under seven minutes to play in regulation, Capital City thought they could cruise to a victory. Then Bink told the Caps to hold his Gatorade.

While he didn’t actually say those specific words, Bink did take a pass from Johnson and buried it in the back of the net to cut the deficit to 5-4 with 6:19 to go. 35 seconds later, senior captain Brett Labre fed Bink to tie the game 5-5.

The tie stood, ultimately setting the state for a 5-player shootout. The Capitals won the shootout 2-0 to claim the victory.

Carson Hughes put the Eskymos on the board for an early 1-0 lead. Owen Labonte scored in the second for a 2-1 lead. Both goals were assisted by Keagan Braun and Ben Sands.

Sophomore goalie Cully Hayes stopped 26-of-31 shots in regulation.