The Huron Perth Lakers AAA Major Peewees traveled to Brantford through snowy weather to take on the 99’ers on December 21st. After a slow start it would have been easy for the short handed Lakers to pack their bags early and give up – but those words are not within the vocabulary of this team.
Mid way through the first period the 99’ers scored two goals a minute apart to take a 2-0 lead. Throughout the period the Lakers forced the play and had a definite advantage in territorial play. Three first period penalties took some of the flow away from the Lakers play but the 99’ers only took advantage of one power play as the Lakers penalty killing was very good.
The second period opened with the Lakers buzzing all around the 99’ers net but after six minutes into the period the home team had scored two more goals to up the score to 4-0. At this point the Lakers had to decide if they were going to dig down deep and play a full game or simply give the two points to Brantford. As they have shown all year this gritty team turned up the intensity to a new level and put Brantford on their heals for the vast majority of the remainder of the game. With four minutes left in the period
Brody Tenpas worked the puck down low to
Taylor Moir.
Moir found
Derek Elliott in front of the net and he made no mistake notching the Lakers first goal. One minute later,
Andrew Bogdon out muscled the defender to bank a pass to
Gregory Swan behind the 99’ers' net.
Swan quickly stepped out in front and buried the Lakers second goal. Late in the period, goalie
Cole Thomas made a good glove save to give his team a fighting chance to continue their comeback bid. One shift late in the period had
Nathan Templeman and
Keigan Goetz setting each other up but they could not beat the 99’ers goalie. The second period ended with the Lakers camping within the 99’ers end zone but not getting one past the Brantford goalie.
After a short break the Lakers began the third period with Daniel Dekoning defending their goal. At the seven minute marker,
Swan out hustled the Brantford defender and feathered a pass to
Bogdon who faked out the defender and roofed a shot to make the score 4-3. Dekoning made a good save on a big slap shot from a 99’er to keep Brantford at 4 goals. The Lakers pushed the puck towards the 99’ers goal and deserved to score the tying goal. The defensive unit of
Alex Peters,
Ryan Stulp-Jacobson,
Carter Stewart,
Garrett James, and
Fraiser Lewis did a great job during this game limiting the 99’ers offensive chances. The team out hustled the home team, won most wall battles and simply out played Brantford in all areas except the scoreboard.
Next up is the Burlington Golden Horseshoe tournament starting on Dec. 27th.
On behalf of the players, coaches and parents we wish to thank our team sponsor Milverton Foodland and all our sweater sponsors for their past and continued generous support. From the Lakers Major Peewees…have a safe and Merry Christmas.