The Major Bantams travelled to Waterloo on Sunday to close out the Wolves' regular season. The Lakers “book-ended” the Wolves regular season by being both the first and last team the Wolves played in the regular season. The two teams had tied 1-1 in the first game and had a half a dozen games in regular season and tournament play throughout the last several months. Going into the game the record between these teams was an even 2-2-2.
However, the Lakers had suffered a 7-1 drubbing the last time they played the Wolves. This time they were determined that it would not happen again. From the drop of the puck at the opening face-off the Lakers were flying with quick puck movement, fast feet, and a ferocious forecheck putting the Wolves back on their heels. The jump in their stride paid off for the Lakers as they scored in the first five minutes of the game when
Riley McCabe, after a strong forecheck forced a turnover, slid a sharp pass across in close to
Greg Williams coming in at the far side. Williams buried the puck in the net for the opening goal (the other assist going to
Nick Castell).
The Wolves immediately pushed back and were able to tie it up about a minute later. The Lakers didn’t miss a beat though and regained their lead a couple minutes after that when Jayden Landry made the score 2-1. Landry’s goal came after Mac MacSorley sent him a pass from behind the net as he was cruising in down the slot – the Waterloo goalie never had a chance (other assist to PJ Conlon).
The rest of the period was back and forth between these two teams. The period ended with the Lakers up 2-1 and shots for both teams about equal.
The second period saw the teams continue to battle but the Lakers’ intensity level waned in the period allowing the Wolves to take advantage. The Wolves tied up the game four minutes in and then went ahead 3-2 on a goal in the dying seconds of the period. The Wolves had outshot the Lakers 16 to 2 in the period and it was clear the boys were going to have to step it back up to the level they had in the first period if they were going to have success.
Unfortunately, the Wolves opened up a two goal lead early in the third period to put more pressure on the Lakers. The Lakers shrugged it off though and went to work – scoring a goal with 9:11 to go when Conlon backhanded a pass to MacSorley who gained the zone, drove wide and fired a low shot on net that saw the rebound come out onto the stick of McCabe. McCabe snapped a quick shot off into the open net.
Up to this point the game had been penalty-free but that changed a minute later when the Wolves took the one and only penalty of the game. The Lakers had a couple good chances on their power play but just couldn’t get a goal. The Lakers continued to press throughout the remainder of the period but just couldn't get that goal they were looking for. Although it was 4-3 loss, it was a great game to watch with its speed, sharp passing, and clean play.
Next up for the Lakers is a big game against the Brantford 99ers on Saturday at 5:30 pm in St. Marys. With a win or even just a tie the Lakers would clinch third place in the Eastern Division and relegate Brantford to fourth place.