The Chatham-Kent Cyclones took a 2-1 series lead Sunday after beating the HP Minor Bantams 3-2 in overtime in Bothwell.
Tied 2-2 late in the 3rd period, the game’s Referee, after a particularly chippy shift, approached both benches with a warning, stating he did not want to make a call that would influence the outcome of the game. In an ironic twist, he was left telling the Lakers Coaching Staff that he did not see a high stick that resulted in the Cylcones’ overtime goal. To say that the team was dismayed was an understatement as the player who was credited with the game-winning goal clearly made contact with the puck over the crossbar. The controversial goal spoiled a wonderful game between the pipes by Graeme Lauersen and puts the Lakers in a must-win situation next Friday in Hensall.
As has become quite common with games between the Lakers and Cyclones, as the game unfolded, there was a fairly steady line of players heading to the penalty box. The Cyclones opened the scoring early while on the powerplay, with Iain Donnelly tying the game before the end of the 1st period off a nice set up by Jared Zufelt. Greg Scott put the Lakers ahead early in the 2nd, also on the powerplay, when he slide in a rebound off a point shot from Braydon Blight. The Cyclones tied the game late in the 2nd, again on the powerplay. A scoreless 3rd period took the game to overtime.
The day before, the Lakers had tied the series at a game a piece after a convincing 5-1 victory. After a scoreless 1st period, the Cyclones opened the scoring while short-handed. Five unanswered Lakers goals finished off the game. Zufelt opened the Lakers scoring while on the powerplay, off assists from Donnelly and Greg Williams. Less than a minute later, PJ Conlon put the Lakers ahead off assists from Jayden Landry and Scott. Drew Wood picked up an insurance marker before the end of the 2nd period, off assists from Matt McCracken and Mike Siddall. Scott and Zufelt finished off the Lakers scoring, with assists from Landry, Blight (2) and Donnelly.
With their backs against the wall this coming Friday in Hensall, the team will need to put together a strong, consistent 40 minutes if they are going to force Game 5 in Chatham. In addition to getting pucks to the net, the Lakers will need to tighten up their defensive zone play, and, play with a level of discipline lacking in Game 3.