JUBILATION. The Orangeville Crushers celebrate on the ice of the Mnjikaning Arena in Rama on Tuesday evening after Robert Visca's over-time winning goal not only gave them the win but also a hard fought 4-3 series win over the Couchiching Terriers. Photo/MIKE MALONEY By the numbers, it was a game the Orangeville Crushers never should have been in.

They were against a Couchiching Terriers team that, judging by how handily they won their last two regular season games against Orangeville, held all the cards.

But it was with a stroke of irony that on Tuesday night, the Crushers found themselves within a slapshot's distance of Casino Rama where the gutsy never-say-die Crushers took to the ice of the Mnjikaning Arena for a winnertake all game seven against the powerhouse Terriers in the OJHL Phillips division semifinals. And it was there that this team that believed in themselves beat the odds and downed the Terriers 2-1 in overtime to win their series.

Down two games to one, Orangeville surprised many when they played one of their best games of the season back home in the Alder Street arena last Thursday.

From the opening puck drop, the Crushers took control and made Couchiching play their game for once.

Goals from Mike Arnold, Dan Minor and Devin Mantha put Orangeville out to a 3-0 lead before the Terriers could figure a way past a very solid Andy Groulx in the Crushers goal.

Mantha would again strike pay dirt late in the frame teaming up with linemates Jarrod Connelly and Arnold and again in the third on the way to a convincing 5-3 win over the division champions.

Playing in Rama on Saturday night, again it was Orangeville first on the board with a powerplay goal from Connelly before the Terriers tied it to end the first 20 minutes of play tied at 1-1.

In the second, Orangeville refused to be intimidated and continued to play their game and were rewarded with goals by Connelly and Mantha for their efforts.

In the third, Curtis Longland's unassisted goal at the 7:09 mark proved to be the difference. Despite outshooting Orangeville 16-7 and scoring twice, Couchiching could not find the equalizer and at the final buzzer, it was the Crushers heading for home with a 4-3 victory and in control for game six.

Facing elimination, the Terriers were anything but tame lapdogs at the Alder Street rink Monday. Jumping out to an early 2-0 lead. Orangeville was forced to battle back to briefly tie the game at 2-2 in the second on goals from Matt Crilly and Dylan Hutton.

Penalties and sloppy play in their own end handed over a pair of chances to the Terriers, who capitalized on their opportunities to end the second with another two goal lead at 4-2.

Life was breathed back into the Crushers when Seven Beyers drew them back within one at the 11:49 mark of the third. Pressing for the tying goal, Orangeville looked to be done when Kurt Zdrilich scored with 1:47 left on the clock. But again the Crushers rose to the challenge, and only seconds later with Groulx pulled in favour of the extra attacker, Beyers again buried the puck in the twine but that would be it for Orangeville and it was back on the bus for game seven.

Speaking after game six, Orangeville coach Dale Hawerchuk knew his team had what it took to win but, more important than that, was that his players knew they could win as well.

With that confidence and determination, they took to the ice in Rama on Tuesday evening.

Both squads knew the stakes were high and the importance of getting the first goal. It was Couchiching that scored that goal when Matt Smyth put one just under the cross bar at 10:11 of the first, bringing the capacity crowd to their feet.

Orangeville's Robert Visca had probably the best opportunity to even the score moments later, pulling the puck out of a scramble in front of Couchiching's net, only to shoot it just wide of the open net.

Both teams would have their chances after that but both Crushers Andy Groulx and Couchiching's Kyle Cantlon were more than up to the challenge turning away shot after shot at each end.

Like a dog with a bone, the Terriers hung onto that lead for almost 40 minutes until midway through the third, when Kyle Manduck broke down the right wing, tucking one to the short side and setting the stage for sudden death overtime.

With all their chips on the table, each team came out in O-T looking for that extra little edge. Unfortunately for Couchiching, it was Orangeville finding that edge first when Nicholas Vassos feed a pass deep to Visca who made no mistake this time; popping one past Cantlon to give Orangeville the win.

"I was lucky you know", said Visca speaking after the game, " I was backdoor to the goalie, I slid over a little bit, went to my backhand, it all worked out".

For Hawerchuk it was the perfect ending to " a hell of a series". He said that either team could have taken it, both teams played hard and "Everyone had a chance every night."

The going won't be much easier when they take on their next opponent, the Huntsville Otters who defeated Aurora 4-2 to take their series in six.