The 99 Major Atom Lakers went 2-1 on the first leg of a week that will see them play six games in eight days. Things started badly on Sunday as the Lakers braved snowstorms and a long drive to Windsor only to be hammered by Sun County. The team recovered quickly from this setback and responded with two workmanlike victories over Cambridge and Lambton to continue the positive momentum the team has been building.
On Sunday against Sun County the team started slow and never got going before falling 7-1. Tanner Hertel scored the only Lakers goal.
The Lakers put the tough loss behind them on Tuesday night as they ground out a 2-1 win over the Cambridge Hawks. After a tight scoreless first half, Noah Kuno finally opened the scoring on a great rush and second effort to beat a terrific Cambridge netminder. Carter Collinson drew the assist. Will Thibeault then put the Lakers up by two with Bradley Kraemer and Dillon Weinheimer drawing the assists. Cambridge battled back and pulled within one as the Lakers ran into penalty trouble in the third period. The Lakers hung tough holding off the Hawks' attack with great penalty killing and a smoking hot Brock Baier in goal as they frustrated Cambridge's hopes as time ran out on a 2-1 Lakers victory. The Lakers were particularly dangerous from the blueline with Brett Denny, Ben Derrough and Kraemer firing several rockets from the point. Justin Beuermann played hard two way hockey.
Huron-Perth followed that game up with an excellent performance against Lambton resulting in a 3-2 victory. Great passing and team play was the hallmark of the victory as the Lakers again utilized their defense who scored two goals on point shots. Derrough opened the scoring converting a Weinheimer pass with a blast that eluded the Lambton goaltender. Hunter James then put the Lakers up by two as he scored from the point with Ashton Stockie getting the assist. Lambton battled back before Jacob Rooke scored from Collinson and Noah Kuno and the Lakers held on for the win. Thibeault was great killing penalties, Kade Landry and Evan Moorehead had strong games defensively while Baily Paquette was incredible in goal making many great saves to help nail down the victory.