Nov 16, 2011 | mlandry | 1717 views
PeeWee - Recent League Play
Coming off a finalist appearance at the Sudbury Big Nickel, the Laker PeeWees played 4 regular season games in 6 days, recording a victory in each one.
Nov 10 - vs Kitchener
Coming down from the high of tournament play, the 99 Lakers were slow getting going against East division rival Kitchener. Fortunately, Kitchener played a chippy game and spent a good portion of time short-handed. The Lakers capitalized 3 times on the power play and cruised to a 5-0 victory. Scoring was as follows:
#1 - Tanner Johnson. Assists to Rhys Vollmer and Noah Kuno (PP).
#2 - Jacob Rooke. Assist to Will Thibeault.
#3 - Thibeault. Assist to Ashton Stockie and Tanner Hertel (PP).
#4 - Thibeault unassisted.
#5 - Kade Landry unassisted (PP).
Bailey Paquette earned the shutout. The Lakers outshot Kitchener 14-10.
Nov 12 - vs Chatham
In St. Marys on Saturday, the Lakers faced an improved and physical Chatham-Kent Cyclones. Overall, the game was played fairly equal with both teams getting quality scoring chances. The Lakers were able to capitalize on their chances and won 4-1. Scoring was as follows:
#1 - Mitchell Casey. Assists to Landry and Kuno.
#2 - Hertel. Assists to Thibeault and Rooke.
#3 - Stockie. Assists to Rooke and Hertel.
#4 - Hertel. Assist to Casey.
Brock Baier faced 15 shots recording the win. The Lakers managed to get 13 shots.
Nov 13 - vs Cambridge
On Sunday at the Allman, the Lakers faced Cambridge for 1st time this season. Games between these two teams are usually close and this game was no exception. Final score was 3-1 with the Lakers outshooting Cambridge 22-7. Paquette recorded the win in net. Scoring was as follows:
#1 - Vollmer. Assists to Kuno and Mitchel Deelstra.
#2 - Rooke. Ben Derrough assisting.
#3 - Thibeault. Landry and Hertel assisting.
Nov 15 - vs Cambridge
A rematch game at Galt Arena saw Cambridge put forth a better effort and result was a tight game each team could have won. The Lakers opened scoring in the 1st period. Cambridge tied score midway through 3rd period only to see captain Jacob Rooke respond with the game winner a few minutes later. Baier was solid in goal, making a tough glove save late to preserve victory. Final score 2-1 for HPL. Scoring was as follows:
#1 - Hertel. Assists to Landry and Thibeault.
#2 - Rooke unassisted.
Cambridge outshot the Lakers 22-19.
The latest 4 games give the Lakers a regular season record of 9 wins, 4 losses and 2 ties after 15 games. The Lakers have managed to score 45 goals (tied for 2nd with Lambton) while allowing only 22 (3rd best behind London and Hamilton). The league appears to have more parity this season as more games are decided by narrow margins. Certainly, the Lakers have learned in losses to Lambton and Windsor that a lapse in concentration and effort can easily turn into a loss.
Thus far, a key for the Lakers has been a combination of effective team play, solid team defence, outstanding special teams and paying attention to detail. Laker centers (Stockie, Blair Butchart, Deelstra, Rooke) continue to dominate face-off circle, resulting in valuable puck possession. The defense corp (Derrough, Landry, Casey, Brett Denny, Evan Moorehead and Carter Collinson) routinely exit defensive zone with quick passes. Defensive zone coverage and defensive side of the puck are system staples consistently adhered to. Finally, goaltending from Baier and Paquette has been above average when called upon.
Next up for the Lakers are two tough regular season games. Elgin-Middlesex visits St Marys Saturday night with revenge on their minds. A few weeks ago, the PeeWees scored a 6-1 victory in Komoka.
The PeeWees travel to Hamilton Sunday to play the Reps. Both teams play tight defensive games, allowing few scoring chances. The winner of this game will gain an advantage in the East division standings as we head towards middle of regular season.