99 Major Atom Lakers Win and Tie on Weekend
The 99 Major Atom Lakers went undefeated this past weekend continuing a string of strong performances that bodes well for the season’s home stretch and the playoffs beyond. Strong defensive play, good goaltending and a complete team effort resulted in a 4-2 victory over the ever improving London Green and a 2-2 draw against the tough Elgin Middlesex Chiefs.
In London Saturday, the Lakers jumped out to an early 2 goal lead. Noah Kuno opened the scoring cashing in after some nice puck movement from Jacob Rooke and Bradley Kraemer. Ashton Stockie extended the lead with Tanner Hertel drawing the assist. After London scored two quick goals and the Lakers took some questionable penalties things looked tense, but the boys showed some mettle and replied with two more goals of their own to drain the pool on the feisty London team. Carter Collinson set up the final two goals with great passes to Hertel and Kuno and the boys celebrated a well earned victory. Kade Landry and Kraemer both had strong performances defensively and Brock Baier was rock solid in goal.
Sunday’s match up against Elgin-Middlesex was an exciting back and forth affair with both teams flying and playing some attractive hockey. The red hot Kuno opened the scoring for the Lakers converting another great Collinson pass. Kraemer also assisted after some strong work on the blue line to keep the puck in. The Chiefs roared back with two unanswered goals and the Lakers found themselves down by one and searching for an equalizer. The Lakers refused to quit and after pressing Elgin-Middlesex all game and several great chances they still found themselves down by one with less than a minute remaining. Will Thibeault then provided the late game heroics as he fired home the tying goal assisted by a nice cycle in the corner by Tanner Hertel and Ashton Stockie whichg resulted in a thrilling finish to deny the Chiefs the win. Brett Denny had a great game on defense while Baier once again provided excellent goaltending.
Things are looking up for the squad as the boys seem to have found their groove as they head down the home stretch. With the Christmas break upon us, the coaching staff and the boys can enjoy a well earned rest as they prepare for the battles ahead.
