Character Building Weekend at the Kitchener Blueline for Midgets
This past weekend the Midget Lakers participated in the Kitchener Blueline tournament. The results, although not realized with a tournament win, were had. A strong effort resulted in success of character building for the team that will carry on into league play.
Friday, November 26
The Lakers started the tournament Friday morning bright and early against the Mississauga Senators. In the end the Lakers came out victorious with a 4-1 opening tournament win. Goal scorers for the Lakers were
Mitchell Berzins (Ingersoll),
Mitch McIntosh (Stratford),
David Dalby (Stratford) and
Sam Feagan (Goderich).
Hayden McLeod (Stratford) came ready to play with a 16 save performance. McIntosh was named player of the game.
Friday night pitted the Lakers against their division rivals the London Jr. Knights. Tight checking, crisp passing and excellent goaltending were the focus of the game for both teams. The Lakers opened the scoring midway through the first period with a power play goal by
Bryan McCauley (Ingersoll) to take a 1-0 lead after the first period. The second period was much the same. The Lakers capitalized on a defensive lapse by the Jr. Knights that saw Berzins all alone in front of the London goaltender and with a few slick moves the puck was put between the goalie's legs. After two periods of play the Lakers were ahead 2-0. The London team however would not quit and dominated third period action peppering 24 shots on the Lakers net. Goaltender
Michael Roefs (Ingersoll) withstood the attack only surrendering 1 goal with a 47 save performance and was named the player of the game.
Saturday, November 27
Friday’s achievements would carry over to Saturday’s action for the Lakers. Saturday morning against Clarington the Lakers would see success once again with a full team effort victory. All goals would come in the second period by both teams. The Lakers opened the scoring at the 14:37 mark with the opposition equalling the score at 1 at the 9:58 mark while on the power play. Goals were traded again within a two minute span to make it 2-2. McIntosh would score the game winner at the 2:21 mark with assists credited to
Kurtis Lavis (Ingersoll) and
Kyle Murphy (London).
Goal scorers for the Lakers were
Jordan Currie (Seaforth) and McIntosh with the hat trick.
Saturday afternoon the South Central Coyotes posed a physical obstacle for the Lakers. A larger and somewhat more physical team however could not match the skill and team play of the Lakers.
The team would go up with a commanding 4-0 lead with 14 minutes left in the third, but again the opponent would not give up as they would score 3 unanswered goals before game's end.
Drake Morrell (Ingersoll) would lay a thundering hit on the biggest player on the Coyotes pumping up the team that saw them through to the 4-3 victory.
Goaltender McLeod was named the player of the game for the Lakers.
Sunday, November 29 – Semi-finals
After going undefeated through round robin play and placing first overall in their division the Lakers were riding a high going into Sunday’s semi-final action versus the Barrie Colts.
With a slow start out of the gate by the Lakers, the Colts were quickly up by a score of 2-0 after the first period of play. The second and third periods were a much different story. The coaching staff challenged the team to bring their best and that is exactly what they did. The Lakers team could not be matched in the second period with dominating play, especially in the offensive zone. Tight checking, fast skating and smooth puck handling frustrated the Colts. The end of the second period saw the score tied at 2-2.
The third period play was once again high paced, on the edge of your seat action. The team exchanged goals to make the score 3-3. The last minute of play realized highs and lows for both teams. With 0:53 left to play in the game the Colts scored, with what they thought, was the game winning goal. The Lakers team was down but not out. With the Lakers net empty
David Dalby (Stratford) scored the game tying goal with 0:36 seconds left to send the game into overtime. A ten minute, 4 on 4 overtime frame was required to try to determine a winner. With plenty of open ice both teams showed skill, speed and a determination to win. Key saves were made by both goaltenders to preserve the tie. Midway through the overtime period goaltender
Michael Roefs (Ingersoll) stood his ground to make a key save, however in doing so was hit by the driving Colt player that sent Roefs to the bench forcing
Hayden McLeod (Stratford) into action. Coming off the bench McLeod picked up where Roefs left off and was able to maintain the tie by the end of overtime. The game would have to be decided by a shootout.
The five shooters for the Lakers were chosen and so started the shootout. The first three Lakers shooters were unsuccessful in their attempts against the Colt goaltender. The Colts team capitalized on their attempts that sent the Lakers to the defeat.
Goal scorers for the Lakers were Berzins,
Dylan Williams (Palmerston), Currie, and Dalby. Assists were credited to McIntosh, Lavis,
Matthew Lupton (Embro), Chambers, Berzins, McIntosh (3), and Currie.
The tournament was deemed a success by the coaching staff. The lessons learned and team experience will be invaluable heading back into league play.
Next action for the Lakers is December 5 at the Stratford Rotary Complex against the Cambridge Hawks.