Dec 07, 2010 | jchaffe | 3807 views
HPL Minor Bantams Reach ¼ Finals
After losing their first two games at the Hamilton Bulldog Tournament, the HPL Minor Bantams put together two wins to advance to the ¼ Finals before losing out to the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs.
Game one the Lakers started out very strong with two first period goals against St. Catherines. First goal was Mitchell Kellington (2nd game back after a broken collar bone) from Brady Lauze and Wyatt Lansdell. Second goal was Jamie Huber from Cullen Mercer and Zack Jacobs. After that it was all St. Catherines as they defeated the Lakers 3–2.
Game two the Lakers from themselves up against league rival London Gold Jr. Knights. Once again the Lakers went up by twp goals by Trent Dundas from Nathan Smith and Ted Nichol from Nathan Smith and Blake Nichol. London came back to tie the game in the 2nd period, but a goal by Cullen Mercer from Haydn Favacho and Jamie Huber regained the lead by the end of the 2nd period. 3rd period was all London as they went on to defeat the Lakers 6–3.
Game three was a must win game if the Lakers wanted any chance of playing in the ¼ finals. The Lakers found themselves behind the Rochester Alliance 1–0 at the end of the 1st period but were controlling the game. Goals started going in for the Lakers in the 2nd period, Trent Dundas from Nathan Smith and Maverick Petrie (call-up from Stratford Minor Bantams to replace Evan Chaffe who was out with a broken leg). In the 3rd, Ted Nichol scored from Matt McGall and Jamie Huber, Cullen Mercer from Jamie Huber and Kenny Huether, Ted Nichol from Maverick Petrie and Carson Brookshaw rounded out the scoring from Zack Jacobs and Brady Lauze. Final score was 5–2, with Owen West picking up the win for the Lakers in net.
With a win in game four the Lakers would move onto the ¼ finals on Sunday, but after a scoreless 1st period with the West Kent Hawks the Lakers knew they had their work cut out for them. In the 2nd period the Lakers finally found the net with goals from Jamie Huber and Ted Nichol with assists going to Maverick Petrie and Trent Dundas. In the 3rd period Carson Brookshaw scored from Mitchell Kellington before Kenny Huether added an empty net goal to seal the win 4–2. Ben Larder had the win for the Lakers in net.
In the ¼ Final Game the Lakers found themselves up against league rival Elgin Middlesex Chiefs. The 7:30 am start time must not have agreed with the Lakers as they had a hard time getting into the game. Elgin went up 4–0 before Ted Nichol added a late 3rd period goal from Blake Nichol. Final score was 4–1 for The Chiefs.
London Gold Jr. Knights defeated Elgin Middlesex Chiefs 5–4 in the tournament final.