The HPL Minor PeeWees played 2½ games of solid hockey on the weekend in league play with the other ½ game being a total team melt down.
Friday night’s game in Zurich vs the Kitchener Jr. Rangers was to start at 7:30 pm, but as one of the ref’s was delayed on getting to the game it didn’t get started until 8:30 pm. It started out to be a good two way game with Kitchener jumping out to a 1 – 0 lead late in the 1st period. The Lakers were able to tie the game 1 – 1 early in the 2nd with a shot from the blue line which the Kitchener goalie saved, but couldn’t handle the rebound and the Lakers forward put it in the net. Mid way through the 2nd period the Jr. Rangers went ahead 2 – 1, but the Lakers answered right back within a minute of the go ahead Kitchener goal. After that it was as if the Lakers turned the switch off as it was all Kitchener from there to the end of the game, with a 8 – 2 final in favour of Kitchener.
Saturday, the HPL Minor PeeWees traveled to Sarnia to face-off against the Lambton Jr. Sting. The Jr. Sting went ahead 1 – 0 four minutes into the game, the Lakers came right back a minute later with a power play goal. It was a great two way game with both teams goalies standing their ground. With a great 2nd effort by the Lakers forward he was able to put in his own rebound shot to give the Lakers a 2 – 1 lead. Early in the 3rd the Jr. Sting thought they had tied the game, but the Lakers goalie was able to keep the puck out as he trapped the puck on his back with his glove. The Lakers came home with a well deserved 2 – 1 win.
Sunday the HPL Minor PeeWees traveled to Brantford to face-off against the Brantford 99’ers. Once again the Lakers gave up the 1st goal of the game, but answered right back with 2 goals on some great passing plays. In the 2nd period the Lakers took the play to Brantford, but couldn’t get a real good shot on net. Once the 3rd period started it was all Lakers with some great work on killing off penalties and some pretty passing plays on route to 4 third period goals to give the Lakers the 6 – 1 win.
It was a good weekend for the HPL Minor PeeWees as they learned that they need to play a full game to win and need to play as a team, with the ability to move the puck to the open man to get good shot on goal.