Eric Pennell scored twice in the final 1:16 of play, including the equalizer with 25 seconds left in regulation, as the Swift Current Home Hardware Legionnaires battled back to earn a 5-5 tie with the visiting Notre Dame Argos.
Pennell, a rookie defenceman with just one goal in his first 12 games as a Legionnaire, capped a frantic comeback from a 6-3 deficit. Notre Dame's Clinton Pirio scored his second goal of the game on the powerplay with 3:31 left to give the Argos a three goal lead and the marker seemingly put the game out of reach.
Tanner Froese scored with 1:50 left to cut the Legionnaires deficit to 6-4, and Pennell converted feeds from Dayton Reinboldt for a powerplay goal with 76 seconds left and the equalizer in the dying seconds with the goaltender pulled for an extra attacker.
Swift Current also had goals from Pavlo Zerebecky and Reiley Grose in a game that was tied 2-2 after two periods.
Jay Hudon turned aside 23 of 28 shots in 63:57 of action to collect the tie and post a 3-7-1 record. Notre Dame's Zach Station stopped 35 of 40 shots at the other end of the ice.
The Legionnaires clicked for their only powerplay goal in their ninth try, while the Argos posted three powerplay goals in nine opportunities.
Swift Current is now 5-11-1-0 on the season after posting a 5-4-1-0 record in their last 10 games to follow a winless 0-7 start. The Legionnaires are three points ahead of the Argos who are tied for last place with a 1-8-1-0 record.
The Legionnaires end a lengthy home stand on Thursday when they face the last place Regina Pat Canadians in an 8 p.m. showdown at the iPlex.
