Lambton Jr. Sting Minor Midgets Bounce Back in Game 2
wednesday february 5, 2014
After a rough start to their playoff series after loosing game one 7 - 2 to Kitchener the Lambton Jr. Sting Minor Midgets AAA bounced back and defeated Jr. Rangers 4 - 1 Tuesday night at the RBC.
"A good bounce back game for us." Jr. Sting Head Coach Jeff Perry said. "I thought it was certainly two different teams from the first game that we played in Kitchener."
The game was fast paced and after the first period both sides were scoreless.
Early in the second period with the Jr. Sting killing off a penalty, Curtis Helps scored a shorthanded goal after taking a perfect pass from Alec Dekoning in front of the net. Dawson Cook then gave the Jr. sting the 2 - 0 lead scoring at 7:56 with Matthew Stevens earning the assist.
With the 2 - 0 lead heading into the third the fast pace continue and at 6:30 Cook scored his second of the night unassisted to give Lambton a 3 - 0 lead. Fourteen seconds later and after Kitchener had a goal dissallowed the Jr. Rangers scored their first goal right off the face off.
Kitchener pulled their goalie with 1:29 left on the clock only to have Alec Dekoning break open and patiently skated in to score the fourth goal and put the game out of reach for the Jr. Rangers.
"I thought for the most part our game was very sound defensively." Perry said "Those are the types of efforts we are going to need to win against a team like that as both teams are equally matched."
Lambton outshot Kitchener 26 - 22. Netminder Nolan Hakr earned the win made 21 saves. Alex Knispel made 22 saves for Kitchener.
Lambton took a total of eight minutes in penalties on four infractions, Kitchener had four minutes penalty time on two infractions.
Both teams went scoreless on power plays. Lambton had two opportunities, Kitchener had four.
"This was a very well officiated game both ways and they (referees) let the players decided the outcome of the game." Perry said "I thought that it was a good pace. After the first game with whistle after whistle and so many penalties that in this game I thought they did a terrific job calling the game and they were not part of the outcome."
Both teams now have two points in the six point series. They are back in action on Thursday when the Jr. Rangers return to Sarnia for game three. Game time 7:00 pm at the RBC Centre.
"I think we will get better as the series goes on." Perry said "I don't want to use the layoff as an excuse but we were a little rusty."
Lambton received a bye in the first round after placing second in the regular season.
"I think the emotion is starting to set in now and as we get in each game we will get stronger and stronger."
