Hamilton - The Midget’s
went into Hamilton four players short and a weak call less than a minute and a
half in would mean that they would play the game five players down.
It was apparent from the drop that the team would not only be playing the Hamilton Huskies but the four Zebra’s as well. During some aggressive penalty killing Mark Macpherson caused a turnover and his quick pass sent Matthew Doidge in all alone for the Jr. Stings first just three minutes in. Hamilton pressured the Jr. Sting for four minutes before scoring when the puck went off a Lambton player and behind Taylor. The Jr. Sting made no mistake when they finally got down to the Hamilton end as a pretty play saw Brad Campbell set up Kraig Durco in his office behind the Hamilton net. Durco showed great patience and waited to pass until David Veluz had slipped into an open spot beside the net for an easy tap in. Hamilton would score with five minutes left in the first to tie it up just as the Jr. Sting killed off another penalty.
As short as they were it looked like it was going to be a long night for the Jr. Sting and if not for some strong goaltending by Kent Taylor the Midgets may well have been down by two or three after the first. As it was they were able to finish the first tied 2-2 even thought they were outshot 20-9.
The second stated with some four on four action and Joe DeSena showed the Huskies why he is becoming the feared sniper of the league. After scoring on an unassisted breakaway just 39 seconds into the period, he had two more great chances in the same shift. While still playing four on four it would be Williams with a great pass across to Doidge who again showed great patience to net his second of the game just 34 seconds later. The Huskies counter attack resulted on a two one that Dylan Brooks played perfectly as he slid to block the pass and then quickly regained his feet in time to level the Hamilton player that had picked up the free puck. At that point the Jr. Sting quickly gained a chokehold on the game when Clay Williams moved the puck to Campbell who sent Zac Lewis in all alone, Lewis buried a perfect shot five hole to put Lambton up by three.
The third was a bit of a gong show as Hamilton decided that since they couldn’t play with the Jr. Sting they would spend the period running them. Rather then back down Jon Taylors team maintained their composure and continued to build their lead. Campbell again set up Durco in his office behind the Huskies net and again he made a great pass, this time to Mac Colasimone who went top shelf. Less than three minutes later Campbell would get his 4th point of the game when Williams sent a pass back to the point and Campbell unloaded his cannon with a blast that the Hamilton goalie never moved on. With the clock now running in straight time another unexplained call left the Jr. Sting short handed on the ice and a very nice pass across from a Hamilton player on the power play finished the scoring.
Penalties – Jr. Sting 16 min – Huskies 21 minutes
Saves – Kent Taylor 39 – Huskies goalie 21