On Saturday night in Mooretown
the Flags took a 3 - 2 lead in
the first round of the best of
seven series against the
Lakeshore Canadiens after
defeating the Canadiens 3 - 2 in
Great Lakes Jr C hockey
playoffs.
"That was a pretty exciting
game." said Head Coach Doug
Slipacoff "Not our best
game we played, I think we
played better last night (Flags
won 4 - 2) but we found a way to
persevere through their
pressure. I told them that they
got to be good to be lucky and
lucky to be good so tonight we
were both."
The Flags took an early lead at
4:14 after Landon Wilson found
the opening in a scramble in
front with Kyle Smith and Jakob
Reeves picking up the assists.
Just over a minute later Alec
Segers added the Flags second
goal with Nolan Riley and Colton
Osborn assisting.
Lakeshore scored at 7:37 after
Logan Percy scored on a power
play and the period would
continue and end with the Flags
up 2 - 1.
Second period action both sides
were scoreless and the Flags
continue to lead heading into
the third.
Third period another scramble in
front of the net and Blake
Rutckj scored for Lakeshore to
even the game at 2 - 2.
Late in the third and the game
closing in excitement erupted at
17:47 when blueliner Christian
Lyle scored the game winner
after taking a shot from the
line. Cameron Rannie and Ryan
Lyle earned assists on the
winning goal.
Game winning goal scored by #6
Christian Lyle
"It's pretty much how every game
gone so far, it's come down to
the wire " said Flags netminder
Brandon Johnson "Everything's
been pretty much a goal
difference. You can't give
Christian Lyle enough credit for
taking a beautiful shot and
getting that goal at the end and
pushing the boys through that
was awesome."
Johnson also has been a big
contributor in the Flags
success. In this game he
turned away 27 of 29 shots and
remain strong in the final
minute of play after the
Canadiens pulled their goalie
for the extra man attacker.
"I haven't seen the team play
this great and the nice thing
about us is we have that
brotherhood bond." Johnson said
"Every time we come here it's
like being with your family so
you can't beat it."
Colin Lauzon playing in his
first playoff game in net for
the Canadiens turned made 31
saves on 34 shots.
Mooretown went scoreless on
three power play opportunities,
Lakeshore scored once on two
opportunities.
Mooretown now leading the series
looks to end it in game six that
is set for Friday February 19 at
the Atlas Centre located in
Belle River. Game time
7:05 pm.
"It's really funny you go from
getting no luck at all to all of
a sudden you catch some breaks
and bounces and momentum in a
series."
said Slipacoff "Were just
going to keep doing what were
doing and we'll let them adjust
to us. We'll play our game
because we know what we need to
do to win."
