The Major Atom Lakers played 3 games last weekend; almost letting one get away before tying it. One game was stolen when the referee did not see the goal go in at a crucial time in the game but the Lakers got everything together in the 3rd game, easily winning. On Friday, Dec. 16th at the RBC arena in Stratford, the Lakers tied the Cambridge Hawks 6-6, coming back 3 times during the game. On Saturday Dec. 17th in Waterloo, the Lakers lost to the Waterloo Wolves, but a goal that was not seen by the referee would have made it 2-1 going into the 3rd. On Sunday Dec. 18th, in Komoka, the Lakers easily beat the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs 4-1.
On Friday, Dec. 16th, in Stratford, the Lakers had many giveaways and some of the Lakers should have been credited with assists on at least four of the Cambridge Hawk goals. The Lakers scored first when Ethan Roche banged in Kyle Stanbury’s back board rebound into the open net. The Hawks stormed back and led 3-1 after 1. Midway in the 2nd, Tanner Reid fed Joshua Zelek at the blueline who proceeded to go around two defenders and backhand a shot over the sprawling Hawk goalie. Shortly after, Zelek banged in Braeden Burdett’s initial shot to knot the game at 3 (Carter McLlwain also assisted). The Hawks regained a 5-3 lead early in the 3rd but the Lakers were able to knot the game again at 5-5. Firstly, Stanbury roofed a beautiful shot over the Hawk goalie’s glove (with assists from Sam Dupuis and Shawn Barnett) and then on a powerplay, Stanbury banged in a Burdett rebound after he was set up by Zelek. With six minutes to go, the Hawks yet again regained the lead at 6-5 but the Lakers stormed back with three minutes to go when Zelek carried the back down the left side and set up a streaking Burdett on the right side who popped the puck into the net before the Hawk goalie had a chance to move (Stanbury also assisted). The game ended 6-6.
On Saturday, the Wolves outworked the Lakers and fully deserved a 2-0 lead late in the 2nd period. The Lakers appeared to score when Zelek popped the puck over the Wolf goalie’s shoulder and the fans saw the puck one foot behind the line. However the Wolf goalie quickly reached in and pulled the puck back out. Unfortunately, the referee was on the other side of the ice and obstructed by the goalie and did not see what almost everyone in the arena saw. Bad break! The Wolves scored shortly after to make it 3-0 and then to add insult to injury, Burdett hit the cross bar and the subsequent rebound sent a Wolf down to add another goal. The Lakers had the life sucked out of them by the bad call and ended up losing 5-0 but the play was not indicative of the score as the shots and play were even for the 1st 2 periods.
On Sunday, the Lakers outplayed and outshot the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs. Burdett got the Lakers on the board late in the first period, by bringing the puck from boards and shooting it past the Chiefs goalie. Early in the second, Zelek brought the puck down the side, turned on the brakes and spotted and hit an open Dupuis who made it 2-0. Shortly after on a powerplay, Stanbury buried the goal after being set up by Burdett and Zelek. The Chiefs added a late second period goal to close the gap to 3-1. Early in the third, Roche extended that lead to 4-1 after being set up by Burdett and Dupuis. Goalie Owen Hahn squelched many Chief efforts to solidify the victory.
The Lakers played well all three games and could have had five or six points; but were satisfied with the three points they earned from the weekend. The Lakers have continued to improve and make the most of their learning opportunities from their games. The Lakers now have a two week holiday break before resuming their schedule in the new year. The Lakers currently sit at 500 in the standings and look strong as the playoffs loom in a month or so.
Happy holidays and go Lakers!