Jan 25, 2012 | dmcgall | 1306 views
International Silverstick Finals Recap
The Huron Perth Lakers Major Bantams went 3 & 1 in divisional play at the International Silverstick Finals in Port Huron , MI on 12 – 14 Jan 2012.
In the 1st game on Thursday, 12 Jan 12, the Lakers came away with a solid effort and 4 – 2 win over the PK Warriors. Cullen Mercer led the Lakers with two goals, assisted by Trent Dundas and Jamie Huber. Huber would also add a goal of his own, assisted by Ted Nichol and Kenney Huether. Ted Nichol would round out the scoring, assisted again by Trent Dundas and Jamie Huber.
In the first of two games on Friday, 13 Jan 12 the Lakers faced the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies in an early morning start which resulted in a convincing 5 – 1 win. Maverick Petrie, Kenny Huether, Greg Hansford, Mitch Kellington and Blake Nichol would all notch singles, with assists going to Trent Dundas (2), Zach Jacobs, Cullen Mercer, Matt McGall and Carson Brookshaw.
In the second game of the day the Lakers went toe to toe with the Toronto Titans in spirited contest which saw the Lakers pound the Titans by a final score of 7 -3. The Lakers capitalized on Toronto penalty trouble in the 1st on power play goals by Kenny Huether and Cullen Mercer, assisted by Trent Dundas and Jamie Humber, each with 2.
Nathan Smith continued the tally in the 2nd period with two goals, assisted by Greg Hansford and Maverick Petrie. Trent Dundas would add a goal, assisted by Ted Nichol and Mitch Kellington. At the 6:17 mark of the 2nd, tensions between the two teams boiled over, resulting in a 10 man dust up as both lines grabbed a dance partner to head to the prom. When the officials restored order, both lines, less goalies headed to the box, with one player from each team being ejected from the game.
Third period action saw the Lakers add two more goals on efforts by Blake Nichol, assisted by Kenny Huether, with a short handed goal, again by Kenny Huether.
In the final game of the G Division on Saturday, 14 Jan 12 the Lakers met the Wilkes – Barre / Scranton Jr. Knights, eager to address a previous tournament loss from 2011. The Lakers would need a win over the Knights to advance beyond their pool as both teams were 3 and 0 to this point.
The Lakers put in a solid effort against a talented Scranton team. Penalties we minimal as both teams focused on hockey seeking to capitalize on any mistakes or turnovers. The Lakers kept the puck moving, cycling deep in the Scranton zone. The Lakers hit two posts and fell victim to a bad bounce off the end boards and scramble which put the Knights up 2 – 0 at the end of the 1st.
The 2nd period was a close checking battle; both teams had their opportunities, but the goalies were not giving up any rebounds or 50 / 50 pucks. The third period would result in an empty net goal, with under a minute left, as the Lakers tried to add pressure with an extra man. The final 30s of the 3rd saw an inadvertent collision at centre ice between the Lakers #11 and the Knights #97. The Scranton player went down hard and was subsequently dispatched to hospital for further assessment, treatment. The game was called with time remaining.
Scranton went on to claim the 2012 International Silverstick title and go undefeated in remaining play.