The Minor Atoms once again lost out in game 5 for the second time this year, this time to Waterloo to end their season. It was a very close series and with the Lakers getting no bounces or breaks in any of the games.
Game 1 was played on very slow ice in Waterloo at the RIM Park Arena with Waterloo coming out on top with a 3 – 1 victory. Kenny Huether scored the lone goal with assists going to Evan Chaffe and Dylan Nafziger.
Game 2 was played in Goderich where the Laker defence Dylan Nafziger, Eric MacPhee, Lucas Spence, Haydn Favacho and goalie Riley O’Keefe came up with their best game of the series leading them to a 4 – 3 win. Kiernyn Campbell scored the winner with less than 2 minutes remaining in the game with the assist going to Cullen Mercer. Other goals went to Evan Chaffe with a power play goal and 2 goals by Cullen Mercer. Eric MacPhee, Kenny Huether and Lucas Spence drew the assists.
Game 3 in Stratford the Lakers found themselves in tight where they played most of the game shorthanded or on the power play. When Evan Chaffe scored on a penalty shot mid way through the third period the Lakers look like they were going to get their second straight win, but Waterloo wouldn’t quit and tied the game with 2 minutes left in the third. The game remained tied after overtime 3 – 3. Cullen Mercer and Mykal Hodges had the other goals, with helpers going to Lucas Spence and Mykal Hodges.
Game 4 was played in Waterloo and once again the Lakers found themselves behind 1 – 0 early in the game after a bad bounce. Cullen Mercer tied the game with assists going to Eric Macphee and Mykal Hodges. Ben Larder came up with some big saves to keep the game close, but couldn’t hold off the Waterloo attack. With the score 3 – 1 for Waterloo in the last minute of the game and the Lakers had the extra skater on the ice in place of the goalie, Cullen Mercer scored his second of the game from Evan Chaffe and Mykal Hodges. The game end 3 – 2 for Waterloo.
Game 5 in Brussels the Lakers came out flying and ready to play. Lucas Spence had appeared to score early in the game, but was disallowed. After hitting 2 or 3 goal post the Lakers final scored a short handed goal from Haydn Favacho with the assist going to Kenny Huether. It was likely the best game of the series and with the line of Nathan Smith, Drew McKee and Brandan Willis doing some great fore checking late in the first period creating some offensive chances for the other lines. In the second period Kenny Huether scored early with the assist going to Kiernyn Campbell. Mykal Hodges added a power play goal from Kenny Huether and Kiernyn Campbell, but Waterloo finished the second period with a 4 – 3 lead. The Lakers played a great third, and with Wyatt Ducharme on for the extra attacker in the last minute of play the Lakers couldn’t get the puck past the Waterloo goalie. When the game ended Waterloo had won 4 – 3 which also ended the Lakers season.