CANTON — Ryan Elrick and Cullen O’Brien registered third period goals, and Travis Thomas buried the game-ending tally in overtime as Canton rallied for an unforgettable 3-2 victory over Newburyport.

“I feel like we’ve played these guys for 15 years, and that’s the score it’s been 10 out of the 15 years,” said Canton coach Brian Shuman. “It seems like no matter the scenario, it’s always a close game. They’re a really well-structured team, and we knew it was going to be a battle.”

Despite controlling the tempo for the most part, the Bulldogs (8-0-1) struggled to put a shot past Newburyport goaltender Damien Lamb.

With the game scoreless late in the second period, the Bulldogs embarked on an abbreviated 5-on-3 power play. However, as one of the two Newburyport (5-3-1) penalties expired, Clippers freshman Luke MacIssac broke up ice, and fired a shot from the side of the net. The puck ricocheted back to the forward, and he was able to bury a stunning shorthanded goal to put Newburyport ahead, 1-0.

During a third-period power play sequence, Canton’s Elrick tapped in a loose puck on the doorstep to knot the score at 1-all with 12:43 to play.

Then, just 4:27 later, the Bulldogs found lightning in a bottle as O’Brien sniped a wrist shot to put his group ahead, 2-1.

“(We were just) trying to get shots from all around,” said Thomas. “Get the goalie moving, anything we could do to find the net.”

Then, adversity struck once again for Canton, as the Bulldogs were assessed a hooking penalty with 2:08 left in regulation. Newburyport was able to capitalize on the man-advantage, as Jackson DeVivo sniped the equalizer with 1:07 remaining.

With both teams desperately searching for the clincher in the extra session, the Bulldogs were called for tripping, setting the Clippers up for a possible game-winner with 1:56 left.

Yet, Shuman’s group remained poised.

“There were a couple of guys out there looking to make a play,” Shuman said. “I love the format, to be able to go four-on-four in overtime. Then, to have a four-on-three, it doesn’t feel like you’re down sometimes. It feels like you can take advantage of a turnover.”

Rather than wilting under the pressure down a man, the Bulldogs ramped things up to a new level. As Brendan Tourgee battled a pair of defensemen against the boards for possession, the puck squeaked free for a split-second. Then, Thomas saw his opportunity and swooped in to collect. After deking around a third defender, he slid a shot home as the crowd erupted, his teammates chasing him toward the bleachers in pursuit.

Thomas also registered an assist for Canton, as did Tourgee and senior forward Brian Middleton.

Lamb closed his outing with 27 saves to propel Newburyport.

“I saw my friend was in trouble,” Thomas said afterward. “Two vs. one. Saw the loose puck, and I picked it up. Went five-hole, and that’s game.”