The Minor Bantam Lakers have taken a two games to one lead over London Jr. Knights Gold in their 6 point series. After sweeping Kitchener Rangers three straight, the Lakers were anxious to meet London in what has turned out to be an exciting match-up.
Game Recaps:
February 27 in Stratford
The first period saw both teams playing an evenly matched first period with no goals scored.
The Lakers had many more opportunities during the second period and finally snuck one in on the power play. Alex Peters blasted a shot from the point and Quinten Haddock buried the rebound to score the first goal. Later in the second, Derek Elliot found the net from a pass from Jared Weishar and Quinten Haddock. Kent Taylor was superb in net blocking any attempts London made to score.
London’s only goal came in the third. The Lakers demonstrated a good team effort to control the play to finish with a 2-1 win.
February 29 in London
Having to adjust to a late weeknight game, the Lakers had to find their legs to play a sharp London team.
Several penalties during the first and second periods found the Lakers fall behind 2-0 on London’s power play goals. Finally, at the end of the second, Nathan Templeman passed a puck out from behind the net to Quinten Haddock who buried the puck top shelf to make it 2-1. Daniel Dekoning’s strong goaltending took away many London chances.
The Lakers battled hard in the third period with good forechecking by linemates McKenzie Carter, Riley Roberts, and Keegan McClelland, but the game would end in a 2-1 London victory to tie the series.
March 2 in Stratford
The Lakers were looking to avenge Monday night’s lose and would go ahead in the series with a 5-3 win in game three.
Drew Gross scored the Laker’s first goal off of a pass from Jacob Middleton in the first period.
In the second period, London scored their first goal, but the Lakers quickly reacted as Jacob Middleton passed the puck up the ice to Derek Elliot who made some great moves to give the Lakers a 2-1 lead. Later in the period during the power play, Garrett James took the puck in the neutral zone, deeked the London defensemen and shot on net to make it 3-1.
The Knights seemed to gain momentum in the third scoring two goals. The Lakers answered back as Drew Gross jammed another goal in from Bayley Boyes and Nathan Templeman and then Boyes scored in the last 30 seconds on an empty net to secure the game with a 5-3 win. Strong play by the defensive team of Alex Peters, Ryan Stulp, Carter Stewart, Roland McKeown and Jacob Middleton shut down any opportunities for London to get back in the game.
The Lakers look to finish the six point series on Monday night as they meet London at 7:15 at the Western Fair Complex.
written by Rob James