Brantford
Sept 30 After easily winning the
two previous meeting's during exhibition season the Jr. Sting faced an improved
Brantford team on Sunday afternoon, but came away with a 3-2 win.
The 99r's came out fast and caught the Jr. Sting off guard as they spent the first two shifts in the Jr. Sting end and registered three good shots on Steven Taylor. From that point on Lambton controlled the rest of the period outshooting the 99r's 23 - 5, but for the first time this year the Jr. Sting had a difficult time converting their chances and finished the period tied at 0-0.
Early in the second it would be 99r's that drew first blood when Taylor was beat glove side by a good hard shot. In a game that saw too many penalties it would be the Jr. Sting's special teams that would win this one for Lambton. Two minutes after the 99r's goal, the power play line of Colasimone, Williams and DeSena would tie it up on a lovely Tic, Tac, Toe play between the three with DeSena finishing by burying the puck under the sliding goalies blocker. Still in the second while playing 4 on 4, Matthew Doidge would beat the 99r's goalie to a puck in the air to put the Jr. Sting ahead by one. Less than two minutes later the Jr. Sting power play would extend the lead to two when Mark Macpherson made a great cross ice pass to David Velux who's one timer found the five hole.
Having started the game four players short and with two in the box on 10 minute misconducts, the Jr. Sting looked like they were running on empty as they started the third period killing a 5 on 3. Just seconds after killing the second penalty the Jr. Sting were still trapped in their end when a point shot hit a man in front and bounced to the waiting Brantford player who made no mistake and brought the game to within one. Brantford continued pressing and Taylor was called upon to make a couple of game saving stops. At this point the Jr. Stings Penalty killing squad took over and killed off a full four minute penalty without giving up a single shot. With the game in it's last minute Brantford pulled their goalie for the extra attacker, but the some great shot blocks by DeSena and Colasimone and smart defensive play by Martin and Hicks assured the Jr. Sting win.
Penalties - Jr. Sting 34 minutes plus 2 10 min - 99r's 30 minutes
Saves - Steven Taylor 21 - Brantford goalie 44