It's down to wire for the MacMaster Pontiac Buick GMC Northmen. Trailing the Six Nations Rebels two games to none, Orangeville finds themselves in a must win situation as the two teams get set for game three of the best of five series Thursday night back at the Gaylord Powless Arena in Ohsweken.

"It's down to do or die for us now," said Orangeville coach Blaine Burman speaking after his team's disappointing 10-2 loss to the Rebels at home on Monday night. Up against probably the leagues toughest team - undefeated so far in regulation and post season play, Burman knows his guys have their work cut out for them but is confident they have what it takes. He points out that it is always a tough thing to do, putting a team away but said "We are good enough to take a game from them and for now, that is where we have to start."

Anyone needing proof of that just has to look back to game one of the series. Last weekend in Ohsweken got off to a good start.

Trailing by one at the end of the first period, Orangeville continued to battle through the second frame scoring goal for goal with the Rebels then tying it up midway through the third on an unassisted marker from Jamye Szabolcs - his second of the night.

With momentum on their side, the Northmen had a couple of good chances to put it away but were held at bay by Nations goalie Don Alton, sending the two teams into overtime tied at 4-4.

Jacob Bomberry put it away for Six Nations with his fourth of the night before Rebels Chris Attwood and Jesse Johnson chipped in with goals of their own on the way to a 7-4 over-time win.

Back home at the Tony Rose for game two on Monday, Orangeville came out of the gate flying, pressing

early and laying out some good hits to keep the Rebels off balance but contrary to the game plan it was Six Nations that got off to an early 2-0 lead forcing Orangeville to battle back with goals from Cody McLeod and Brandon Benn to end the first tied 2-2.

In the second, both teams would have good chances early in the frame but again it would be the Nations making the most of theirs when Wayne VanEvery notched an unassisted power-play marker - his first of four goals on the night at 10:16. From that point on however, it was all Six Nations as they added two more in the second and five in the third period to roll on to a 10-2 final score over the Northmen.

Benn has been one of the Northmen's top goto guys through the playoffs so far and knows as well as anyone they can win against Six Nations but they are going to have to give all they have got for the entire 60 minutes.

"Everyone was kinda getting down after they scored those three goals in the second. They are a really good defensive team and their guys are comfortable back there. Unless we play perfect on offense we can't generate a whole lot (scoring chances) of our own".

Game three of the series goes at 8 p.m. Thursday in Ohsweken and should the Northmen win, the two teams will find themselves back at the Tony Rose Memorial Sports Complex in Orangeville at 7 pm Saturday with game five of the series if necessary scheduled back at the Nations on Sunday evening at 7 pm.