Regular Season Begins this Week
This week is the start of the
regular season for the Lambton Shores Predators Junior B Hockey
team. Wednesday night they travel to London to take on the
Nationals in the opening game of the season. Then, they’ll have
Thursday night off before their home opener on Friday night when
they host the Chatham Maroon with an official puck drop at 8:00
pm.
Fans are encouraged to get there early and enjoy the warm
up before the game. The players have been working hard to try
and make the team this year.
They are proud to be representing
Lambton Shores in the Western Division of the Greater Ontario
Hockey League. They are all hopeful that hockey fans in the area
will give them the opportunity to prove that coming to their
games is great entertainment value. Every one is encouraged to
come out to cheer on their efforts.
Saturday night the game starts at 7:45 P.M. at the Shores
Recreation Complex. That night they will take on the LaSalle
Vipors in their third game of the season. Fans are reminded when
they are planning for
the season, that Friday night games
at home are at 8 P.M. and the usual Saturday night home games
start at 7:45 P.M. There is still time for fans planning to get
their seasons tickets for the Predators, to qualify for the draw
and win box seats for the Leafs/ Flyers game at the John Labatt
Centre in September.
Another Lambton Shores resident was
added to the team last week when 17 year old Kalvin Thornton
joined the squad. Kalvin lives at RR2 GrandBend and attends
South Huron High School. Kalvin, a forward played his early
years of minor hockey in Parkhill before playing AAA hockey.
In pre season action to get ready
for the season, the boys played two games against St. Mary’s.
On Monday, August 31st they hosted the Lincolns in
what ended up 7 – 3 loss.
Predators goals were scored by Adam
Arsenault, Wayd Pitfield, and Matt Melo. Coy Kulich, Ben
Woodley, Jon Conrad, Joma Samir, Joey Vandusen and Cody Curts
earned assists. Goaltending duties were shared by Jeremy
Shaeffer and Matt Simon.
The team played their final pre season game in St. Mary’s on
Labour Day. After regulation time it was tied 3 – 3 and a five
minute overtime failed to produce a goal which forced a
shoot out. Each team took their first 3 shots and the Lincolns
managed to score once while their goalie made three saves in an
exciting finish. Coach Dan Mudge was extremely pleased with the
teams effort. Matt Simon played strong in goal and the team out
shot the Lincolns 36 – 35 after being on the short end of shots
the previous week.
Coy Kulich, Duncan McSorley and James Purcell played well. Coach
Mudge also had praise for his returning veterans who showed good
leadership. Another newcomer to the team also with the name
Thornton ( no relation to Kalvin ) playing on defense is Reese
Thornton . Reese played for St. Thomas Stars last year and
earned the praises of the coaching staff with his efforts in St.
Mary’s. The Predators opened the scoring in the first period
when veteran Dave Hutchinson scored from Duncan McSorley and Coy
Kulich. In the second period
Adam Arsenault scored when Joma
Samir earned the assist. Then in third period Reese Thornton
scored on the power play to give the Predators a 3 –2 lead on a
pass from James Purcell. The Lincolns managed to tie the game in
regulation before earning the win in the shoot out. The coaching
staff were also impressed with the Rupert Twins. Ryan and Matt
Rupert 15 years old of Grand Bend were in the lineup and will be
affiliated to the team this year and eligible to play five games
each. Their regular team this year is the Elgin- Middlesex
Chiefs in the Minor Midget AAA league.
