The Bantam Lakers won the East Division championship for the 3rd consecutive year. After a slow start to the season, the Lakers have finished things off strong going 5-0-1 over the last 6 games. This recent success can be attributed to great teamwork, good puck movement, solid defense, solid goaltending and timely scoring.
This turn around started with a win over Hamilton 4-1. Scorers for the Lakers included Alex, Peters Garrett James, Jared Weisher, and Derek Elliot. Nathan Templeman added 2 assists, with single assists going to Jacob Middleton, Quinten Haddock, Zach Goodhew, and Weisher.
The team carried the momentum to their next game against Waterloo winning 5-2. James, Weishar, Haddock, Bayley Boyes and Drew Gross shared in the scoring. Assists went to Middleton, Templeman, James, Haddock, Weisher, Boyes, and Jake Lapointe.
A short set back came with a late goal loss to Brantford 2-1. The Lakers pulled their goalie and had many opportunities but couldn’t capitalize. Gross scored from Templeman and Keegan McLelland.
The final three games of the season were crucial. Three wins, one of them being against Kitchener, would ensure the Lakers would reign as East division champs. In an exciting conference rival, the Lakers went on to defeat Kitchener 1-0 in a very defensive minded game. Carter Stewart, Ryker Killins, Middleton, Peters, and Goodhew provided solid defence throughout the game to keep the Wolves offence at bay. Gross scored the only goal from Weisher and Middleton. Daniel Dekoning was outstanding in net stopping all attempts.
With a renewed confidence, a rematch vs. Brantford allowed the Lakers some payback as they defeated the 99’s, 3-1. Haddock provided much of the offense with 2 goals. Templeman scored the other. Assists went to Templeman, Boyes, and Gross. Kent Taylor was outstanding in net making some timely saves.
The final league game was one of their best games of the year. They defeated London Green 2-0, a game which could have been 8-0 if not for the outstanding play of the London goalie. Haddock scored the first goal from James. The other goal was scored by McLelland from Killins and Adam Zehr.
The Lakers hope to do some fine tuning to repeat as Alliance champions when they travel to Port Huron, Michigan this weekend for the International Silverstick. They will be facing some of North Americas top teams in their pool such as the St. Louis Blues and Shattuck St. Marys Prep.
written by Rob James