As predicted, this past weekend’s two contests against
front-runners Cambridge and Sun County provided the Minor Midgets with their
toughest test yet.
On Saturday, the team headed to Cambridge to take on the
undefeated Hawks at the historic Galt Arena Gardens. Coming off a pair of
undefeated weekends, the Lakers looked to send a message to the rest of the
Alliance. However, it was Cambridge that took the early lead on the
powerplay, after a goal-crease scrum that led to a Laker penalty. The
Hawks were able to move the puck around quickly and established the screen in
front of Laker goalie Garrett Golley, leading to the game’s first goal.
The Lakers finally set up some pressure in the offensive zone and managed
to tie the game on a nifty tip by Kaden Hoggarth on a point shot. Gagnier
then nearly put Huron-Perth in the lead with a quick shot off the wing, but it
went off the crossbar. Late in the period, the Lakers again found
themselves short-handed. The Hawks crashed the crease and stuffed the
puck home to end the period with Cambridge up 2-1.
The second period was scoreless, with the Hawks carrying most of
the pressure. Cambridge added to their lead early in third with a
short-handed goal, another powerplay goal and finally an empty-netter.
The Hawks took the game 5-1, and the Lakers headed home to regroup for the
second half of the weekend’s schedule.
The Sun County Panthers prowled into the Rotary on Sunday
afternoon. Another high-quality opponent, and yet another measuring stick
for the home team. Laker co-captain Carter Schoonderwoerd looked to set
the tone early with a big hit along the wall, but later in the same shift, he
misjudged the timing of another big hit and off to the box he went with a
boarding call. Sun County, like Cambridge the day before, was able to
take advantage on the powerplay and fired one home past a screened Carter
Roth. Blake Wideman came close to netting the equalizer as he broke in
alone, but the Panther’s goalie just managed to get his toe to the post in time
to prevent the goal.
Into the second, some undisciplined play by the Panthers led to
a couple of Laker powerplays, one of them an extended 5-on-3, but the boys were
unable to tie it up. The score remained 1-0 Sun County through two
periods of play.
Early in the third, a tough bounce off a Laker defender at the
side of the net gave the Panthers a 2-0 lead and from there they were able to
close out the victory.
A tough weekend to be sure, but some time to rest and refocus in the
upcoming week. The team heads out for a tour of two NCAA hockey programs at the
University of Michigan and Bowling Green University next weekend.