Written by: Scott Johnson
The Huron
Perth Lakers swept a 3 game weekend, including 2 games against key division
opponents.
Friday, in Brantford, the Lakers used solid puck movement, in a convincing 5-1 win over the 99ers. Noah Kuno scored the first of his 3 goals in the period to give the Lakers a 1-0 lead just 2 minutes into the game. Ashton Stockie and Blair Butchart assisted. Kuno increased the lead converting a 2 on 1 opportunity after a nice set up by Stockie. Kuno completed his natural hattrick in the last minute of the period banging in a rebound off a Tanner Hertel shot. Jacob Rooke scored in the opening minute of the 2nd period, unassisted, to put the Lakers up by 4 goals. Isaiah Waxman with a wrister from the point on the powerplay, assisted by Scott Stovel, closed out the scoring for the Lakers. Brantford would score shorthanded with 2 minutes remaining in the game to ruin the shutout bid of Bailey Paquette.
Saturday, at home in Milverton, the Lakers took advantage of some undisciplined play, in defeating Waterloo 3-1. After a scoreless first period, Ben Derrough would put a shot through the goaltender to tie the game up at 1-1 midway through the second period. Waxman assisted on the powerplay marker. With time running down, Rooke scored with a backhander during a mad scramble with 55 seconds left in the game for the game winner. Derrough and Stovel assisted on the powerplay goal. Hertel would add an empty netter to seal the win with 14 seconds left to play. Carter Collinson and goaltender Brock Baier, who was solid throughout, assisted on the marker. The Lakers served 8 minutes in penalties, while Waterloo was assessed 20 minutes worth of infractions.
Sunday, in Goderich, the Lakers defeated Lambton 3-2 in a penalty filled game. Rhys Vollmer was left unattended in front of the net, and buried a rebound to open the scoring with 1:38 left in the first period. Stovel and Hertel earned assists on the goal. Stovel would put the Lakers up by a pair early in the second period, on the powerplay, with a sharp angled shot to the top corner. Hertel and Derrough picked up assists. Lambton would score just 14 seconds later to cut into the lead, then would add another with 2 minutes left in the period to tie the game heading into the 3rd period. Just 23 seconds into the 3rd, Hertel would collect a loose puck in the crease, taking advantage of some confusion between the Sting goalie and his defenceman, and stuff in the game winner. Stovel was credited with the lone assist on the play. The 2 teams combined for 80 minutes in penalties.
With the 6 point weekend, the Lakers climbed into 3rd place in the East division. The HPL will be participating in the Waterloo Gold Puck tournament this weekend where they will continue their rivalry with Waterloo on Friday, along with playing the Toronto Jr. Canadians, Sudbury Wolves, and Grey-Bruce Highlanders.