The Minor Atoms split their weekend games with a close one against Waterloo and a win against Cambridge Hawks.
Saturday the Lakers took on # 2 in the division Waterloo in a game that saw the Lakers almost steal the game away from the Wolves in their own arena and also in their own jerseys. The Lakers new fore check system really frustrated the Wolves into many antics and penalties, but they ran into a hot goaltender who was able to turn aside the Lakers attack. Waterloo eventually pulled out the 3-1 win with an empty netter, but great game by the Lakers as once again oh so close. Kayden Schooley tallied the Lakers goal on a set designed play that has now worked many times late in the game. A big time face off win by Pryce and beauty feed from Aarts for the lone tally. The D corp. played one of their best games in limiting the Wolves in their chances by having a presence at our own blueline. A solid performance by Dunn, Schooley, Gaylor, Robinson, McNaughton, Aarts.
Sunday saw the Lakers travel to Cambridge to take on the Hawks. This was a game that the Lakers needed to win to keep their playoff hopes alive and these young Lakers would not disappoint. After learning earlier in the day that Assistant Captain Connor Arts would be out of the line up, a volunteer stepped forward to fill the D spot and ended up earning the Hard Hat for an amazing game. Kyle Lapointe, a natural center, stepped in and partnered with Braeden McNaughton and this game saw McNaughton really step up and play his best game with his "rookie" D partner as the pair were able to contain the Hawks top guns. The Lakers scored early on a highlight reel goal by Bobby Leis as he had the Hawks "D" draped all over him on the partial break, then had enough mustard to get the puck up and over the Hawks goalie (who has been able to stone us in the past) at 1:13 of the 1st. This goal set the tone and the Lakers would carry this 1-0 lead to start the 3rd period on the back of excellent goaltending by D Kints who played a very well positioned game to turn the Cambridge side away time after time. Unfortunately the historic Galt Gardens was not equipped with video replay as Hotson went "bar down" in the 2nd period but play continued. He later scored and there was no doubt.
Earlier in the 3rd, McCann out raced 2 D short handed to grab a puck cleared to the Hawks end and this hustle was the only reason for the scoring chance that McCann received and buried. 5 mins later Hotson went "bar down" on a wicked shot off a nice feed from Ethan Hewitt. With a 3-0 lead and under 5 mins to play the Hawks called a time out and loaded a line with all their big guns. They were finally able to break the shutout bid by Kints with 4:00 minutes to go. The Hawks left out this line combination for the next 2 minutes and applied pressure to make it 3-2 but 0:28 sec later Leis scored a carbon copy of his opening goal to put the nail in and gain the victory.
4 of the last 5 games has seen this team battle, scrap, and claw and be in a position to earn the wins. Today saw Lapointe play a new position and shine, the D as a group was solid once again and Weber/Coultes have really taken to the new fore check system and execute it perfectly! Point getters in the victory: Leis 2 G, Hotson 1 G, 2A, McCann 1G 2A, Hewitt 1A