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The Lambton Minor Atom AAA Sting enjoyed a
successful but snowy weekend as they picked up a win
on Friday while narrowly losing on Saturday.
Following a drive to Hensall Friday evening the boys
came out flying against the Huron Perth Lakers and
claimed a 7-2 victory. On Saturday they had another
long drive to Essex and nearly upset the Sun County
Panthers but a pair of late goals cost them in a 4-3
loss.
On Friday the Lakers scored on their first shot on a
goal but Lambton would respond quickly as Hunter
Monkhouse and Nolan DeGurse scored to make it 2-1
Sting before the game was 5 minutes old. Late in the
first period the Sting would score twice in under a
minute to increase their lead to 4-1. Josh McLean
would get the first of those two goals and DeGurse
would score in the final minute of the opening
stanza. Both goaltenders would shine in the second
period but the Sting would increase their lead to
5-1 on a Dylan Riddell tally that was the only goal
of the middle frame. Huron Perth would cut the Sting
lead to 5-2 with just over 4 minutes remaining in
the game but once more the Sting answered with a
couple of quick goals from Brock Barber and Hunter
Monkhouse. The game would end 7-2 in Lambton's
favour with goaltender Liam McCarthy making 27 saves
for the victory. Brock Barber had 3 assists to go
with his goal. Other assists were credited to Ryan
Barwitzki, Cole MacKinnon, Greg Ross, DeGurse and
McLean.
Saturday afternoon provided a first round playoff
preview as the Sting headed to Sun County knowing
that the Panthers will be their opening round
opponent. The game had a playoff atmosphere as both
teams battled hard right from the opening face-off.
The Sting opened the scoring 4 minutes into the game
as Brandon Neelin blasted a shot from the point into
the top corner of the net on a powerplay. However,
Sun County would tie the game with a goal on a 2 on
1 just over a minute later. It took just 45 seconds
for the Sting to regain the lead as Spencer
Vandenboom scored on a solo rush to make it 2-1
Lambton. Once again Sun County would reply quickly,
this time on a penalty shot goal that evened the
contest at 2. Fifteen seconds into the second period
the Sting would go up 3-2 as Nolan DeGurse converted
a Dylan Riddell pass on the powerplay. Lennex Jagoo
made some big saves in the Lambton net to keep the
score 3-2 throughout the second period and well into
the third. However, a bad bounce off the boards left
a Panther player with the puck alone in the slot and
Sun County tied the game with 1:45 left to play.
Lambton players seemed a little unnerved giving up
the lead so late and Sun County capitalized by
scoring the game winner with just 30 seconds
remaining.
While it was tough to lose after being tied or ahead
for 44 of the 45 minutes in the game the Sting can
use the game to build some confidence going in to
their playoff series. Despite two long drives in
messy weather and missing a key defenseman with an
injury for most of the weekend the Sting played two
strong games and are playing their best hockey of
the season heading towards the playoffs. Lambton has
won 13 of their last 17 games and have 2 more
regular season contests before the postseason
begins.
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