The Laker Atoms faced off against the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs for Laker Day on October 7th at the Maitland Recreation Centre in Goderich. The team came out strong with good puck control and strong momentum and had some good chances they couldn’t capitalize on throughout the first. The team did not keep the same level of play up through the second and were down 2-0 with goalie Joab Egbers once again keeping his team in the game.
The Lakers came to life in the third, exploding for five goals. The line of Jacob Hrudka (2 goals) - Cole McKee (3 assists) - Grant McPherson (3 assists) led the way with passing plays that turned into points. Defenceman Keenan Conlon notched his first Lakers goal, heading into his second season, with a great shot from the point. Goals also went to Jared Nash from Josh Scott and Chayse Herrfort and Herrfort, unassisted. A solid defensive game was played by Nicole Zabel, Conlon, Spencer Dowd, Jon Baker, Liam Melady and MacKinnon Hawkins. The Lakers celebrated a 5-2 final over the Chiefs.
On Sunday, the Brantford 99er’s traveled to Goderich and the Lakers once again sputtered after having a strong game the day before. This team will need to learn to play on Sundays! The Lakers controlled a lot of play in the first period, but could not get in position for good scoring opportunities. Unfortunately, the team stopped playing and fell behind by 4 goals. They pressed to get back into the game, but again fell short. Brantford won 6-3 with Laker goals to McPherson, Nick Jung and Luka Marinic and assists to McKee, Hrudka, Hawkins and Justin McCarter(2).
The Laker Atoms will be working on passing, puck control and winning the one-on-one battles that determine the outcome of games. Focus is a concern, needing all players to play with emotion and confidence. The Lakers are on the road for Thanksgiving weekend with games against the Windsor Jr. Spitfires, Sun County Panthers and Chatham-Kent Cyclones.