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The
Lambton Minor Atom AAA Sting had another successful
weekend as they won a pair of games on home ice. The
two victories even the Sting's overall record this
season at 24-24-3 which is quite an accomplishment
considering they won just 7 of their first 21 games.
Instruction from the coaching staff has really taken
hold over the past month and as a result the team
has fashioned a sparkling 12-4-2 record since
December 1st.
Excited by the chance to meet and get some photos
taken with World Junior stars Ryan Ellis and Zack
Kassian prior to their game had the young Sting
players buzzing right from the opening face against
Chatham-Kent. It took just 8 seconds for Spencer
Vandenboom to get the game's opening goal and from
there it was all Lambton as the Sting beat the
Cyclones 14-0. Nolan DeGurse scored 5 times,
Vandenboom had 4 while Dylan Riddell, Hunter
Monkhouse, Josh McLean, Ryan Barwitzki and Greg Ross
added singles.
To go with his goal Josh McLean added 6 assists.
Other helpers were credited to Jaycob White (2),
Dylan Riddell (2), Nolan DeGurse (2), Spencer
Vandenboom (2), Cole MacKinnon, Brandon Neelin and
Blake Brand. Lennex Jagoo earned the shutout.
Sunday afternoon the Sting faced a much tougher
challenge in their first league game with the
Huron-Perth Lakers this season. The Sting beat the
Lakers in the quarterfinals of a tournament over the
Christmas Break and they knew Huron Perth would be
looking for revenge. Lambton had the better scoring
chances in the opening period but the Lakers got the
only goal when they converted on a 2-on-1 rush with
just over a minute remaining.
Huron Perth would go up 2-0 early in the second when
they scored off of a goalmouth scramble but the
Sting would answer quickly. Some great cycling by
the line of Nolan DeGurse, Spencer Vandenboom and
Brock Barber resulted in a goal for Barber to cut
the deficeit to one goal. A minute and half later
the Sting would pull even as Hunter Monkhouse made a
great pass to send Josh McLean in on a breakaway
catching the Lakers defense on a bad line change.
McLean fired a laser into the top corner to even the
game. Jaycob White would get the second assist on
the goal. However the Lakers would take a 3-2 lead
with a powerplay marker late in the period.
Just like their tournament meeting a couple of weeks
ago the Sting entered the third period trailing the
Lakers but once again they rallied for a victory.
Spencer Vandenboom evened the score at 3 with a goal
six minutes into the period. Blake Brand would get
the assist on the play. Lambton would take a 4-3
lead on a powerplay as Vandenboom and Ryan Barwitzki
combined to set up Barber for his second goal of the
game.
Huron Perth would put on the pressure and try to
even the score but the Sting defense of
Barwitzki,Brand, Cole MacKinnon, Brandon Neelin and
White limited the Lakers chances and when they did
get through goaltender Liam McCarthy was equal to
the task. Spencer Vandenboom would cap off a great 4
point afternoon with his second goal of the game to
provide some insurance in the closing minutes. With
just over a minute to play and the goaltender pulled
a Laker forward got in on his backhand but McCarthy
made a nice stop to keep the 2 goal lead and the
game would end 5-3 for the Sting.
With the victories the Sting have won 7 of their
last 8 league games and look to pick up another 2
points in their only game next weekend, a Saturday
trip to Bothwell to face off against the
Chatham-Kent Cyclones.
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