What started off encouraging with a ray of hope ended in disappointment last Tuesday night at the Shores Recreation Centre. In a rare mid-week home game the Predators were hosting the Strathroy Rockets.

The Predators got off to a good start in the first period in what could be described as even play by both teams. The shots on goal were 14 – 14 with neither team being able to score. In the second period the Predators found themselves short handed at the 6:31 mark but were able to respond by not only killing the penalty, but scoring a short handed goal. Matt Melo took a pass from Brandon Stewart and beat the Rockets goalie. At the other end of the rink the play of Matt Simon was spectacular. He stopped 30 shots in the period and allowed his team to take the 1 – 0 lead into the third. During the first shift of the third period, Matt Melo and Brandon Stewart again earned points when a pass was fed to Cam Downie who made it 2 – 0.

Half way through the period the Rockets managed their second goal to tie the game at 2 each. Then with less than 3 minutes left in the game the Rockets managed to squeak in two quick goals only seven seconds apart. Hoping for a dramatic finish to the quick turn-about the Predators pulled their goalie in an attempt to earn a tie in regulation time.

Unfortunately their hopes were dashed by an empty net goal before Strathroy added another near the end to make the final score 6 – 2. The team had a practice on Thursday to prepare for a Friday night game in St. Marys. That game was scoreless for the first ten minutes until the Lincolns scored their first of 4 goals in the period. They then hung on to win the game 7 – 2. Predator Adam Arseneault was named the games second star with a two point night with one goal and an assist. His first point came when he took a pass from Ben Woodley and passed to Duncan McSorely who beat the Lincoln goalie. His second was when he scored in the third period after taking a pass from Brandon Stewart.

Last Saturday night the Predators hosted the LaSalle Vipers. The Vipers were riding a three game winning streak including a 6 – 4 win over the first place London Nationals. Unfortunately the Predators were not able to stop the high flying Vipers and suffered their worst loss of the season with a 15 – 0 drubbing.

The team has a Tuesday night practice to try to prepare for a visit to the Western Fair Arena to take on the Nationals Wednesday night. They then play host to the Chatham Maroons this Saturday at Shores Recreation Centre when the puck drops at 7:45 P.M.

There is still a mathematical chance for the Predators to catch the Flyers. However, it means trying to take points from strong teams battling for position. It also means Leamington not earning any. In short – a minor miracle.

Lambton Shores schedule