The second and final
showcase weekend for alliance minor midget hockey was held this offer weekend
in Woodstock with all twelve teams playing three league games.
The Laker
boys hit the ice on Friday night for game one against the Windsor Jr.
Spitfires. A cautious start to this one, with few scoring chances in the first.
Windsor managed to break the stalemate, when the Lakers were unable to clear
the puck at the blueline leading to a chance in front of the net that was
converted for the game's first goal.
The second
period saw both teams continue their tight-checking approach. Lakers defender
Coleson Fischer stood out on defence in the period, even taking a penalty that
otherwise would have yielded a Windsor breakaway. No scoring in the second,
despite solids chances from Nolan Gagnier and Bobby Leis.
The
Huron-Perth lads headed into the third looking to tie things up. Winger Blake
Wideman did just that with a rush down the wing and an absolute snipe for the
Lakers first goal. Assists to Leis and Lakin Hendry. Shortly after the tying
goal, the Lakers gained a man advantage and took the lead on another Wideman
goal on a cross-ice pass from Carter Schoonderwoerd. Second assist to Thomas
Gangl. The Lakers tacked on an empty netter in the dying seconds to take
this one 3-1. Carter Roth played his usual solid game between the pipes for the
Lakers.
Game two
featured a Saturday morning match up with the Lambton Jr. Sting. The first two
periods were scoreless, with both teams trading chances.
After the
break, the Sting took advantage of a slow start by the Lakers and popped the
games first goal when their forward circled the zone and fired the puck high o
over goalie Garrett Golley. This goal seemed to spur the Lakers into
another gear and they quickly tied the game up on the first goal of the season
for d-man Andrew VanBoekel. Huron-Perth then jumped into the lead on as goal
from in tight by Nolan Gagnier, assisted by Coleson Fischer and Lakin Hendry.
Lambton would knot the contest at two shortly after on a powerplay opportunity
with a spin around shot through the five hole of Golley. Neither team could get
the go-ahead goal and this one ended in a draw.
After some
lunch and a bit of rest, the lads geared up again in the weekend's final match
against the London Jr. Knights. The Knights drew first blood on the powerplay
and they looked to double their lead when a poor Laker change caused a
two-on-none. Goaltender Roth had a different idea as he stiffed the shooter and as
the play continued back the other way, Thomas Gangl and Jack Becker teamed up
to feed Wideman who buried it past the London keeper, tying the
game. Unfortunately for the boys the tie was short-lived, as a missed
offside call by the linesman gave the Knights a gift. 2-1 London after one.
No scoring in
the second and most of the third as the Lakers couldn't find a way to get the
equalizer. London iced the game with a third goal on a pretty tic-tac-toe
passing play, again on the powerplay. Final score 3-1 in favour of the
Knights.
Testament to
the high expectations of the Huron-Perth boys and coaches as none of them seemed
content earning just three of six available points.
Back to work
this week with a tournament upcoming on the weekend. The team will travel to
Waterloo to compete in the Gold Puck tournament starting Friday. Good luck
fellas!