Battle of the Division Leaders
The Chiefs came out hard in this one after losing to the Lakers in their previous meeting. With some strong physical play early in the first the Chiefs pressed the attack and were eventually rewarded with the first goal of the game.
Their chance at a two-goal lead was shut down when Kent Taylor made a great save on an EMC breakaway.
While the first period was all EMC the second saw the Lakers put on the pressure when the Chiefs took two penalties resulting in a 5 on 3. The Lakers executed the power play perfectly and tied the score when the line of Quinten Haddock, Drew Gross and Jared Weiser moved the puck down low and Haddock fed the puck back to Alex Peters who fired a great shot from the point through the screen and into the back of the net.
The third period saw great end to end action from each team, however it was the Lakers that would score when Drew Gross dug the puck off of the side boards and fire a great wrist shot through the screen set up by Weiser for the go ahead goal. The Chiefs then had a great chance to tie the score when they sprung a winger for a clear breakaway, however Taylor played it perfectly and closed the door on the attempted deke. With time running out the Lakers took a penalty and the Chiefs pulled their goalie for the 6 on 4 attack. On the ensuing rush Nathan Templeman intercepted a pass and passed the puck back to Roland McKeown who flipped the puck the length of the ice to score the empty netter. The Lakers would then run down the clock to take the win in one of the most exciting games of the year. Both teams should be congratulated on their passionate play.
Final 3-1 Lakers, shots 24 – 18 in favour of the Lakers.
Written by Jeff Taylor