Oct 24, 2012 | sjohnson | 1064 views
Lakers take 5 of 6
The Huron Perth Minor Bantams tie Elgin-Middlesex, then defeat Hamilton, and London.
Wednesday night in Komoka, the HPL came from behind and settled with a 3-3 tie against the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs. As a fast-paced first period with limited scoring chances came to a close, the Chiefs picked up a loose puck in the slot and scored the opening goal with less than a second left on the clock to capture the lead after 1 period. 6 minutes into the second period the Lakers gave up another goal as a slapshot from the top of the slot squeaked through goaltender Justin Hergott for a 2-0 lead. The Lakers responded with 5 minutes left in the period as Blair Butchart swooped in and fired a loose puck from just outside the crease to energize the team. Will Thibeault and Brett Denny assisted on the goal. 3 minutes later, a Mitchell Casey shot deflected off Butchart and into the net for a powerplay goal, with Thibeault assisting again, to tie the game at 2-2. The Chiefs would once again score late in a period, this time with 7 seconds left to take a one goal lead into the third period. Ben Derrough would tie the game up, with 6 minutes left, as his slapshot from the point beat a screened goaltender. Logan Kellington assisted on the powerplay marker to close out the scoring.
Saturday afternoon in Stratford, the Lakers took on division rival Hamilton. Brett Denny scored the first goal of the game as his blast from just inside the blueline gave the team a lead with 6 minutes left in the period. Tanner Johnson and Tanner Hertel assisted on the powerplay goal. Hamilton would respond while shorthanded as goalie Brock Baier was beat on a hard shot to the top corner for the only scoring in the second period. The game would remain tied at 1-1 untill Johnson scored with just over 3 minutes left in the game after being left alone just in front of the net and lifting a backhander over a sprawled goalie. Scott Stovel assisted on the game winner. Baier made some key saves in goal as the Lakers killed off a lengthy 5 on 3 powerplay late in the 2nd period.
Sunday night the Lakers travelled to London to take on the first place London Knights. The Lakers scored first, just 4 minutes into the game, as Will Thibeault shot a puck along the ice which deflected in off a London skate, to energize the team and set the tone for the rest of the game. There would not be any further scoring in the tight- checking game until the Knights capitalized on a turnover during a Laker powerplay, to tie the game at 1-1 with 7 minutes left in the 3rd period. The HPL responded quickly scoring on the same powerplay, as Blair Butchart skated out from the corner and stuffed a shot in, short side, to give the Lakers the lead. Tanner Johnson assisted on the game winner. Less than a minute later, Jacob Rooke added some much needed insurance, scoring on a well placed shot to the top corner to close out the scoring and give the Knights their first league- play loss of the year. Logan Kellington assisted on the goal. The 3-1 win, represented the best team effort of the season, as there were many blocked shots, and finished checks in front of goaltender Brock Baier. Defencemen Brett Denny, Isaiah Waxman, Ben Derrough, and Mitchell Casey were fantastic all game as fellow d-man, and team captain, Kade Landry was forced to leave with an injury early in the 2nd period.