The Minor Atoms were undefeated over the weekend with wins against London Jr Knights Green and the Cambridge Hawks. The Lakers steadily improved their team play and work ethic over the two games and were rewarded for their diligence.
It has been a tough month for the Lakers as they struggled to find the team play and intensity needed to get a win. This weekend showed how battling hard for the puck and a total team effort does work.
Minor Atoms vs Cambridge Hawks
Sunday January 31st
The Minor Atoms hosted the
Cambridge Hawks Sunday in Brussels. The Lakers played a full 45 minutes and the
result was a 5-3 win over one of the top teams in the league.
The Lakers started the
game strong establishing a good forecheck and playing well in their own
zone. The Hawks opened the scoring
late in the 1st period, but this did not discourage the boys. The Lakers would
retaliate with a goal two minutes later.
Bayden Parent hit Brady Hinz in full stride at centre ice
and Brady out-skated a defender to blow a fantastic wrist shot to hit the back
of the twine.
Brady Hinz Trevor Donaldson
The Lakers carried the play in the
second period and our defense played a strong game frustrating the Hawks
forwards. Laker defense Joshua McNaughton and William Chisholm kept their team
on the offense with great work along the boards, doing whatever it took to get
the puck into the Hawks zone. Our offence would continue to press and score
twice in the second. Evan Dowd
head-manned the puck up the ice to Michael
Boyle who drove hard to the net and fired a well placed shot
blocker side. Kaleb Pearson dug
the puck out of a scramble along the boards and Brady Macdonald would feed the puck to Trevor Donaldson positioned in the high
slot. Donaldson fired a beauty
wrist shot over the Cambridge goalie’s shoulder. The Hawks managed to close the gap with a minute left in the
second.
Brady MacDonald Owen Gilhula
The boys came out flying in the
third with lots of pressure in the offensive end. Trevor Donaldson would fire a shot on
net and Owen Gilhula picked up the rebound to bang home the
Lakers’ fourth goal. The Hawks would answer back
less than a minute later to cut the lead to one but outstanding goaltending by
Riley Deline would slam the gate shut the rest of the way. The Laker offense wasn’t done yet…. Defenseman Sam Tindall controlled the play behind the net
and wrapped the puck around the boards to his winger. Trevor Donaldson poked the puck out of our zone and up to Kaleb
Pearson. Pearson would break away
and net the insurance goal.
The Lakers would hold on to the 5-3 win. All three lines and sets of defense gave an amazing heart felt effort.
All of our players battled hard for the puck and as a team won. “We love you Lakers”
Minor Atoms vs London Jr Knights Green
Friday January 29th
The Minor Atoms travelled to London to face the Junior Knights Green team on Friday night and managed to come from behind to defeat the London Green by a score of 6-3.
The Lakers mounted a sustained attack on the Knights right out of the gate with early shots from the point by Trent Buchanan and Ryan Thede. Colton Atkins would light up the scoreboard first with a nice shot top shelf. The tide turned quickly against the Lakers. Instead of gaining momentum, the Lakers fell apart and displayed little team play, passing or hustle. The Knights would take advantage of this, scoring two power play goals and a shorthanded goal.
It wouldn’t be until half way through the third period that the Lakers would pick up the pace. It would be the Knights’ turn for the wheels to fall off. The Lakers would capitalize with five goals. Owen Gilhula would start our offence by placing the puck neatly in the top right corner of the net. Brady Hinz would deke through several players and find the back of the twine. Atkins would score his second of the night with help from his line mates Michael Boyle and Evan Dowd. Bayden Parent would nicely display team play and passing with a great go ahead pass to Dowd. Evan Dowd would take the shot and Parent would tap in the rebound. Atkins would cap off the night and complete his hat trick with an empty net goal.
Joshua McNaughton Ryan Thede Trent Buchanan
The Lakers defence, Ryan Thede, William Chisholm, Sam Tindall, Joshua McNaughton and Trent Buchanan would hold the line and kept the London shooters at bay in the third period to help their team emerge victorious. Tanner Knechtel would get the win in net.
Sam Tindall William CHisholm