Major Atoms Split Games at K-W Oktoberfest Tournament, News, Major Atom, 2007-08 (Huron Perth Lakers)

With the signing of a new player to the line up the Lakers were back playing with 14 skaters and 2 goalies for the tournament. With some of the best teams from North America entered in the tournament the Lakers knew they would have to be at their top of their game to compete.

In the 1^st game vs Richmond Hill Stars the Lakers gave up a shorthanded goal to put them behind, but 20 seconds later scored on the power play to tie the game. The Lakers once again scored a power play goal early in the 2^nd period with Richmond Hill scoring the next 2, putting the Lakers down 3 – 2 at the end of the 2^nd period. The Lakers came out flying in the 3^rd scoring in the 1^st minute, but once again gave up the next 2 goals to Richmond Hill, making the final 5 – 3 for Richmond Hill. The Lakers knew after that game they had to find their AAA game if they were to have any success in this tournament.

In the 2^nd game vs the Waterloo Wolves both teams came ready to play. After the opening ceremonies it was obvious this was going to be a great game and after an tight checking  1^st period the Lakers were ahead 1 – 0. After the Lakers gave up 7 breakaways in the 2^nd they still found themselves up 2 – 1. In the 3^rd period the Lakers finally found their AAA game scoring 4 goals to make it a 6 – 1 win.

In the 3^rd game the Lakers out played Mississauga Rebels for the first two periods hitting goal posts, pucks sitting on the goal line, but couldn’t score. Early in the 3^rd Mississauga score on a power play and killed the Lakers momentum, the game end 3 – 0 Mississauga.

In the 4^th and final game of the round robin the Lakers knew they couldn’t advance to the semi-finals, but wanted to build on their team play vs the Ottawa Valley Titans. It was one of the best team played games of the year for the Lakers with scoring in each period for a 3 – 0 win. There were some great passing plays from the defence to the forwards, great fore checking and back checking and solid goaltending. If the Lakers had played like this in all four games they would have advance to the semi-finals instead of Richmond Hill.

Detroit Compuware won the tournament 2 – 1 over Toronto Marlboros.