Feb 14, 2011 | dslipacoff | 1720 views
Lambton Jr. Sting Minor Midgets Battle Kitchener Jr. Rangers to Convincing 3-1 Series Win
View From The Bench
Minor Midget 95's Advance to Playdown Semi Finals; Next Up, Waterloo Jr. Wolves
The Lambton Jr. Sting Minor Midgets concluded their first round bye in Alliance Playoff action and took to the ice vs. the Kitchener Jr. Rangers in a hard-fought best of 5 series. Despite the almost three week layoff between games, the team practiced hard and was prepared for a physically and mentally demanding series.
Game #1
Jr. Sting 0 - Jr. Rangers 1
The team began the series by travelling to Kitchener for the first game of the playdown quarter-finals. The boys came out of the gates quickly and carried the play to the Jr. Rangers, peppering their goalie with shot after shot. Both teams played a very physical game, finishing checks and playing hard to each whistle. Despite the Sting carrying the action and the offensive play for almost the entire game, the Jr. Rangers were able to capitalize on a bench miscue in the second period as a penalty was expiring, scoring the game's first and only goal. Braden Palocz was excellent in net for the Jr. Sting despite taking the loss.
Game #2
Jr. Sting 2 - Jr. Rangers 1
After another week-long layoff between games, the team returned to home ice in what turned out to be a very exciting, tight-checking affair. Corey Pawley was able to score the first goal for the Sting, on a nice semi-breakaway with the assist going to defenseman Nick Zottl. With the game knotted 1-1 in the third period, Ryan Trottier set up a great passing play by skating the puck deep into the Kitchener zone and feeding a quick pass to Corey Pawley in the slot, who fed the puck to Cody Perriam at the corner of the net, burying it for the winning goal. Joel Sowinski was strong in net the rest of the way and held off the late Jr. Rangers attack to preserve the win.
Game #3
Jr. Sting 3 - Jr. Rangers 2 (OT)
The team returned to the RBC for what proved to be another tough, penalty-filled game. Kitchener came out of the gates hard, looking to avenge their previous defeat and took advantage of a Jr. Sting miscue, scoring the game's first goal. Although the Sting were shakey the first period, they found a quick strike answer as Kirk Dorman finished off a great short-handed 2 vs. 1 pass from Corey Pawley to even up the score. Later in the second period, defenseman Chad Beauchamp found the back of the net on a great slapshot from the point during a Sting power-play with the assist from Corey Pawley to push the team ahead 2-1. The Jr. Rangers answered back in the 3rd period with a goal of their own, forcing the game into overtime. With less than a minute into the extra frame, Matthew Brandon hit Corey Pawley with an excellent transition pass through the middle, allowing Pawley the opportunity to blow by the defender and score a very exciting game-winning goal on a forehand/ backhand deke.
Game #4
Jr. Sting 4 - Jr. Rangers 3
Game #4 saw the teams return to Kitchener with the Jr. Rangers facing elimination from the main round and the Jr. Sting still riding high from their overtime victory the day before.
In a physically and mentally exhausting game that proved to be a sheer battle of physical and mental determination. Cody Perriam and Ryan Frizzell each netted doubles for the 95's, with double assists going to Troy Whitely, and singles to PJ Vandervaart, Nick Zottl, and Adam Lane. Goaltender Joel Sowinski kept his team in the game for the last minute of the third period with a one goal lead as the Sting battled through a penalty kill vs. a 6-man Kitchener offense as mental focus and strong physical presence sent the puck down to the Kitchener zone in the last several seconds of play. Despite a 2 man disadvantage in the last several seconds of play, a totally determined Jr. Sting managed to keep the puck in the Kitchener zone as the clock counted down to the final buzzer of an exceptionally exciting and much-deserved quarter final series win for the 95 Jr. Sting.
The 95's now advance to the semi-final round of the Alliance playdowns, where they will face the always dangerous Waterloo Jr. Wolves in what promises to be a challenging and very exciting semi-final series!
As a coaching staff we are very pleased that the boys were able to maintain their focus despite the long first round bye layoff and persevere to a 3-1 series win against a hard-hitting Jr. Rangers team who had been playing regularly in the initial round. We are not yet satisfied with our results however, as we know our team is capable of so much more. As we move forward into the semi-final round we must continue to battle through the obstacles that present themselves one day at a time. We must maintain our physical and mental discipline in every aspect of our game and return to playing Jr. Sting hockey - a physical, fast-paced, up-tempo, puck-posession style of game. We must continue to work toward perfecting the little details in practice that add up to big victories in game and series wins. Boys, be happy you won this series, but do not become satisfied or content....we know the destiny we plan to create and this is just the beginning!
Finally, we would like to thank all our team parents, families, and fans who came out to our home games and travelled to Kitchener to support our boys. You represented our team and our organization with class and respect and your positive cheering and encouragement has been outstanding!
"Be Relentless"
Coach Slip