The Lakers would have their best game of the Kitchener Blueline Tournament Saturday afternoon against the top ranked Elgin Middlesex Chiefs. From the drop of the puck the Lakers dominated the match.
The Minor Atoms would play strong and tight and use their teammates well. The offensive strike would start less then two minutes into the opening frame when defenseman Ryan Thede banked the puck off the boards up to Trevor Donaldson. Donaldson would carry the puck deep into Chief’s territory and fire a wicked wrist shot over the goalie’s shoulder.
The Chiefs would get in penalty trouble and Brady Hinz would capitalize and score a power play goal at the 3:55 mark in the first. Evan Dowd and Brady MacDonald’s hard work in front of the net, dug the puck out and fed Sam TIndall. Tindall let a shot go from the point and into the net. Strong back checking by line mates Atkins, Boyle and Parent was crucial in shutting down the Chiefs break out and keeping them off the board. The Lakers took a commanding 3-0 lead at the end of the first period.
The Minor Atoms would get pinned in their own end for a few shifts and give up 2 quick goals to EMC. The Chiefs would be get a penalty shot midway through the second that could have been a turning point in the game but Laker goaltender Riley Deline would make a spectacular sprawling pad save and keep the Lakers momentum going.
Lots of nice passing and holding of the blue line by defensemen William Chisholm, Joshua McNaughton and Trent Buchanan kept the pressure on the Chiefs. Centreman Owen Gihula's strong play with the puck was fundamental in generating offense for his line. The aggressive fore checking, great vision and team work of Gilhula, Hinz and Donaldson created many scoring opportunites. Hinz once again found the back of the twine and Gilhula’s wrist shot would beat the goaltender top shelf. The Chiefs would pull their goalie and Brady Hinz would cap off his stellar night by scoring his hat trick goal with 2 minutes remaining in the third. The game wasn't over yet despite a 6-2 lead...With less then 2 minutes left, Elgin Middlesex would score a power play goal and another unanswered goal within seconds of each other. Throughout the game Kaleb Pearson, Dowd & MacDonald had limited the Chiefs scoring chances. Their line would keep the pressure in the Chiefs zone for the last minute of the game and secure the Lakers 6-4 win over the Chiefs.
MVP: Brady Hinz
“We love you Lakers!!”
Saturday, November 28
Huron Perth Lakers vs London jr Knights
The Minor Atoms faced the London Jr Knights Green in an evenly played contest, ending in a 2-2 draw. Michael Boyle would light up the scoreboard for the Lakers when his shot passed the Knights goalie with Bayden Parent picking up the assist. The Knights would score twice before Brady Hinz would break away and score to tie the game. Lakers goaltender Tanner Knechtel would make several key saves late in the third to shut the door to preserve the tie. Kaleb Pearson's hustle at both ends of the ice was rewarded with the MVP of the game.
Friday, November 27
Huron Perth Lakers vs Waterloo Wolves
The Wolves would go ahead by three before Bayden Parent would score a power play goal for the Lakers with assists going to Michael Boyle and Sam Tindall. Lakers were severely outplayed by the Wolves and they would not be able to find their stride. The Wolves would win 7-1.
Huron Perth Lakers vs Cambridge Hawks
The Cambridge Hawks would score with less than one minute into the game but the Lakers would buckle down and started playing some better hockey. Trevor Donaldson would tie the game with a shot along the ice past the Hawk goalie at the 6:21 mark in the second. Assists going to Gilhula and Hinz.
Cambridge would reply and bury one past the Laker goalie two minutes later. The 3rd period featured excellent play by both teams as each team continued to press on offence while the defenders turned away all comers and the goaltenders kept the nets clean. The Hawks would hang on to the 2-1 win.
MVP: Lakers Goaltender Riley Deline