Dec 10, 2006 | Shaun Peet | 487 views
Lakers Minor Midgets Shock Brantford For Second Win
After hitting rock bottom on Thursday night in Kitchener, the boys bounced back in a huge way on Sunday, upsetting Brantford (currently 3rd in the East Division with a 10-8-2 record) by a score of 5-1. Although the shots on goal were almost even, the Lakers controlled the flow for most of the game.
Adam Alexander opened the scoring with 6:25 remaining in the first, placing a well-aimed wrist shot on net from the blue line that trickled by the Brantford netminder. The lone assist went to Joel Alton. The Lakers controlled a majority of the period, as they were able to play disciplined hockey, taking only one penalty to the 99er's four. Shots on goal in the first period were 11-4 in the Lakers' favour.
The second period was more of the same, with the Lakers continuing to play sound defensive hockey throughout. Despite being outshot 16-12 in the period, the boys continued to work hard and capitalize on their chances. Joel Alton scored the second goal with 2:05 remaining to take the game to 2-0, with the assist going to Alexander. With 29 seconds remaining in the period, Brantford took a minor penalty. Then, with 15 seconds left, they took another one; this time also taking a ten-minute misconduct for disputing the call.
The Lakers started the third period 5-on-3 and capitlized only 35 seconds into the period when Mark Verkley blasted a shot from the blueline off the end boards, which bounced right to Alexander in front of the net. Adam wouldn't be denied for his second goal of the day, with the assists going to Verkley and Tyson Avery. The majority of the third was great back-and-forth hockey, which got really interesting for the last five minutes. Blair McConnell was called for holding with 4:38 left, so Brantford decided to pull their goaltender for a 6-on-4 situation.
The Lakers were able to hold off Brantford's attack for the power play just long enough for McConnell to get out of the box, back on the ice, and then score on the empty net to bring the game to 4-0 with 2:29 remaining. Just before the goal, Tyler Kuntz had made an outstanding play, sacrificing his body to block a very dangerous looking shot from the Brantford defense. Then, on the next faceoff, Verkley took the puck down the right wing and blasted a slapshot into the net for the Lakers fifth goal at 2:13. Assists went to Justin Reid and Reid Goobie.
All that was left at that point was to preserve the shutout, but the boys fell just short as a good low shot from the Brantford defense was accidentally tipped into the net by a Lakers player with only 26 seconds remaining.
Braden VanNynatten was stellar in the victory, stopping 29 of the 30 shots he faced; including sevaral key saves with the 99er's pressing at the doorstep. The Lakers will look to start a trend with a road game in Aylmer on Wednesday night when they face Elgin-Middlesex. The Lakers are 1-0 versus the Chiefs this year.