Nov 08, 2021 | Steve McGrail | 201 views
Sting Battle Hard All Week and Nab 2 Points in Weekend Finale
The Lambton u18 squad have been playing some good hockey and continue to battle hard. They are starting to create their identity as a team and players are figuring out their roles as the season nears the midpoint of the regular season schedule.
Another busy week saw the Jr. Sting make a Thursday night trek to Kitchener for a 815pm start. The Sting played well in spurts but in the end just couldn't capitalize on a couple point blank chances. Playing a full 60 minutes is a team focus and if the boys had some longer stretches of consistent play, they would have come out on the better end of a 4-3 game.
Scoring in a losing cause was Luke DesRoches from Anthony Tudino. Tudino lit the lamp on the powerplay from JJ Fogarty and Jace McGrail then in the 3rd period, Fogarty scored on the powerplay from McGrail. The boys came close but in a league with parity when anyone can beat anyone on any given night, it was not good enough. John Chartrand was stellar in net as he was peppered with over 40 shots again. He deserved a better fate and gave the boys a chance to win.
Saturday the boys hosted the first place Huron Perth Lakers at the Brock Street Barn and again battled hard and came back from 2-0 down to tie it up only to find themselves down again and chasing the game. The offence in this game was led by the defense as McGrail scored twice and Tyler June added another. All three goals came from the point on similar shots through screens that found the upper part of the net. Colton Graham had two assists, while Adam Osler, Will Hull and Jacob Montesi all had one in a losing cause. Joe Malinowski saw more rubber than a dead coon on the 402, facing 48 shots in the Sting net.
On Sunday, the boys headed to Brantford for a 215pm start at the Wayne Gretzky Centre. The Sting squad was looking to salvage some points from the trio of games this week but they would have to do it shorthanded. Missing four players to injury and suspension, the boys buckled down against the 99er's squad that was looking to get their season jumpstarted after a slow start out of the gate. With 4 AP's in the lineup the 99er's came out flying looking to push the pace against the short staffed Sting.
It was back and forth and physical as both teams traded chances. Eventually the Sting would strike first on the power play when Alex Akena tipped home a point shot from McGrail. Will Hull earned an assist on the powerplay marker. Sting up 1-0. In the second period, the Sting were buzzing. Led by Anthony Tudino who scored three of the next four Sting goals. The second goal was Tudino from Jacob Montesi. Third goal was Tudino from Nate Williams. The Sting 4th goal was scored by Darren LaPointe, his first goal in AAA which is awesome for a player transitioning from Defense and learning to play forward this year. With the Sting up 4to0, Anthony Tudino re-directed a pass from McGrail on the power play that tickled the twine to complete his hat-trick. Sting were up 5to0 heading to the intermission.
The third period was less than stellar as the Sting had a parade to the penalty box and allowed momentum to swing in Brantford's favour. Brantford would score twice to narrow the gap but that is as close as they would get as the game ended 5to2. Goalie John Chartrand was outstanding in the Sting net and was full credit for the victory. The Sting picked up a much needed two points with the victory and lengthened their lead over Brantford for the final playoff spot.
The Sting have played 18 games to date and Anthony Tudino is tied for the league lead in scoring with 20 points. The Sting have played about 3 or 4 games than most other teams.
Lambton will head to Kitchener this coming weekend for the 50th Anniversary Blueline Tournament.