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Sarnia, ON –
The Lambton Jr. Sting Minor Bantam's started their
AAA hockey season Sunday afternoon, but let a late
lead slip against the Sun County Panthers in a 3-3
tie.
"We were
fortunate to even get a point out of it," said coach
Jeff Perry. "Sun County was the better team. Hockey
Gods work in mysterious ways, and in the end, Sun
County was probably deserving of two points. It
certainly wasn't one of our better games."
The game
started strong for the Jr. Sting, despite being on
the powerplay, Ryan Greenaway put a hard forecheck
on the Panthers penalty kill unit, and would be
rewarded, as Greenaway would win a race to a puck
off the end boards, turn and fire on net and beat a
sliding Panthers goalie to give Lambton the 1-0
lead.
Sun County
would pour shots onto Sting goalie Anthony
Hurtubise, but the Sting goalie turned them aside.
But the Panthers pressure would finally payoff, as a
scramble in front would get onto the stick of David
Collins who makes it a 1-1 game.
Lambton
was outshot in the period 13-4, but escaped with
only the one goal allowed.
In the
second period, Lambton would get two breakaway
chances as forwards slipped behind the defence, but
Sun County goalie DJ Hall would answer the
challenge, stopping both breakaway attempts.
Nearing
the end of the period, Sun County would be called
for a head check, giving Lambton a four minute
powerplay. Alec Dekoning would receive the puck in
the corner and look for a man out front. But his
pass would somehow get through the five hole of
Hall, and put the Sting back in front 2-1 after the
second.
With the
momentum from the second in the Stings favour, Sun
County would look to respond quickly and take it
away. Just over a minute in they would do just that,
as the Sting took a penalty, giving the advantage to
the Panthers, where Collins would put a one timer
shot in the slot passed Hurtubise for his second of
the game, tying it back up at 2-2.
Lambton
would look back to their powerplay to take the lead,
as Dekoning would spot Brett Barnes sneaking in from
the point, as the Sting retake the 3-2 lead.
With under
a minute left, the Panthers would pull their goalie
and get the puck into the Sting zone. Just like the
Sting's leading goal, Riley Meyerink would get
behind Hurtubise and the Sting defence, and a pass
onto his stick would be sent to the back of the net
with 17 seconds remaining.
Lambton
and Sun County would skate out the draw, as the
Sting's walk away from their first regular season
game with a single point.
All of
Lambton's goals came on special teams, which for the
minor bantams, is a strong point said Jeff Perry.
But their 5 on 5 play needs some work. Goalie
Hurtubise faced over 30 shots in the game, another
strong front for the Jr. Sting.
"Between
special teams and our goaltending, that's always
been our bread and butter," said Perry. "Certainly
we got two of them that are probably the better ones
in the league. It gives us a chance to win most
nights when you have those guys in net."
The
Lambton Minor Bantams will be home again next
weekend for two games, as Chatham - Kent comes to
town on Saturday, and Hamilton on Sunday.
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