Feb 05, 2007 | jchaffe | 1611 views
Minor Atoms Clinch 2nd Place in East Division
With the Minor Atom’s having a light schedule throughout January it was tough for the team to play at the top of their game which was obvious with a 4–1 loss to Elgin-Middlesex on January 27th. With only 3 games left in the first two weeks of February before play-offs start, the team wanted to start February off on the right foot. This week the Minor Atoms worked extra hard with their skating at the last two practices, they know this has been their # 1 advantage over their opponents this season.
Saturday Feb. 3rd in Brantford the Lakers clinched 2nd place in the East Division with an 8-2 win. Kenny Huether put the Lakers up early in the game with a pair of goals assisted by Evan Chaffe, Kiernyn Campbell (2) and Haydn Favacho. After a bad bounce and a good offensive play by Brantford the game was tied 2-2. Haydn Favacho then put the Lakers a head 3-2 with an unassisted power play goal. The Lakers defence then tightened up the neutral ice zone with some big hits from Eric MacPhee and Lucas Spence creating some turnovers and scoring opportunities for the Lakers forwards. As the forwards were doing a great job of forechecking Nathan Smith was given a hit from behind penalty, which he couldn’t avoid as the Brantford player turned his back at the last second. Kiernyn Campbell then scored shorthanded from Cullen Mercer. After that point in the game it was all Lakers as Wyatt Ducharme, Evan Chaffe and Cullen Mercer (2) scored with assists going to Brandan Willis, Mykal Hodges, Kenny Huehter, Drew McKee, Kiernyn Campbell, Dylan Nafziger and Josh Hill (AP from Stratford Minor Atoms). Ben Larder had the win in net.
Sunday Feb. 4th in Waterloo was the stormiest day of the winter so far but the Lakers came home with a 7-2 win. The strong neutral zone ice play of the Lakers defence pairs of Dylan Nafziger & Eric MacPhee and Lucas Spence & Hayden Favacho gave the Lakers forward more offensive chances. With Nathan Smith serving a one game suspension from the game before, the Lakers went with only 8 forwards. Mykal Hodges opened the scoring early with the assist going to Cullen Mercer. The Lakers second goal came after Evan Chaffe's forechecking kept the puck down low where Drew McKee out battled the Waterloo defenseman and gave Cullen Mercer a pass in the slot to put the Lakers up 2-0. Wyatt Ducharme added a goal from Brandan Willis before Waterloo came back with 2 goals to make it 3-2 at the end of the second period. Third period was all Lakers as Kenny Huether added two unassisted goals. Wyatt Ducharme and Mykal Hodges scored their second goals of the game and Cullen Mercer added two assists. Kiernyn Campbell had a strong game playing forward and killing penalties on defence. Riley O’Keefe had the win in net.
The Minor Atoms final game of the regular season is Sunday, February 11th in Clinton at 3 p.m. vs. Cambridge. Play-downs start the following week vs. 3rd place Kitchener.