The Huron-Perth Lakers “97” team has reached the semi-finals and finals a number of times in the past 4 years, but could never bring home a Championship until this past weekend in the Niagara Falls Early Bird Tournament where they defeated Windsor 4–2 in the Final.
The HPL Minor Bantams started out slow in the tournament Friday with a 6–4 loss to the Clarington Toros.
Jamie Huber picked up a hat trick with a single goal being added by
Cullen Mercer.
Kenny Huether,
Trent Dundas,
Wyatt Lansdell and Cullen Mercer picked up assists. The Lakers had one goal called back early in the 3rd which seemed to add to the Toros' attack.
Game 2 of the tournament the Lakers faced the Central Ontario Wolves, a team that the “97's” had never defeated in tournament play. This time, the Lakers came up with a 2–1 win. Goal scorers for the Lakers were
Zach Jacobs and Kenny Huether. Assists went to
Nathan Smith,
Blake Nichol, Cullen Mercer and
Haydn Favacho.
Owen West picked up the win in goal.
Game 3, the Lakers faced off against league rival London Green Jr. Knights which had eliminated the Lakers from play-offs last season. This time, the Lakers were on top with a 4–2 win. Lakers goal scorers were Cullen Mercer with two and singles going to Jamie Huber and
Ted Nichol. Assists went to Kenny Huether, Zach Jacobs, and Jamie Huber.
Ben Larder had the win in goal for the Lakers.
Game 4 of the round robin the Lakers came up against the undefeated Chatham-Kent Cyclones. With some great team play by the Lakers, they were rewarded with a 3–1 win. Goal scorers for the Lakers were Nathan Smith, Trent Dundas, and Wyatt Lansdell. Assists went to Cullen Mercer, Kenny Huether,
Evan Chaffe, Trent Dundas, and Wyatt Lansdell. Owen West had the win in goal for the Lakers.
In the semi-final game, the Lakers faced-off against the 4 and 0 North Central Predators. The Lakers came out flying and never looked back recording an 8–1 win. Brady Lauze and Carson Brookshaw led the scoring with 2 goals each, with singles going to Kenny Huether, Ted Nichol, Blake Nichol and
Mitchell Kellington. Assists went to Evan Chaffe, Trent Dundas, Haydn Favacho, Blake Nichol and Mitchell Kellington. Owen West had the win in goal for the Lakers.
In the Finals, the Lakers had an early goal called back and than found themselves behind the Windsor Jr. Spitfires 2-0 early in the 2nd period, but they never gave up. Trent Dundas put the Lakers on the scoreboard then Nathan Smith tied the game. Kenny Huether put the Lakers ahead with five minutes remaining in the game. After that, the Lakers ran into penalty problems, but were able to kill off a 5 on 3. Shortly after killing off the penalties, Kenny Huether sealed the win with an empty net goal. Cullen Mercer,
Matt McGall, Evan Chaffe, Ted Nichol and Trent Dundas picked up assists for the Lakers. Owen West had the win in goal for the Lakers.
It was a great team accomplishment with all the players on the team putting points on the gamesheets and both goalies recording wins. Congratulations, guys.
In other team news, the Minor Bantam Lakers also defeated the Grey-Bruce Highlanders twice in exhibition play in the past two weeks by scores of 4–3 and 6–1.