11-12 Bantam AE - Bantam AE Rockets Defeat Dorchester in OMHA Playdowns
The
Newell Networking Strathroy Bantam AE Jr. Rockets
defeated Dorchester three games to none in recent OMHA Playdown action, winning
the preliminary round series 6 points to zero.
Game 1 of the series was played on Monday, Jan. 16th in Strathroy. The Jr. Rockets opened the scoring in the first period as Lucas Wilson converted a Pitt pass to make it 1-0. Despite some high quality chances, Strathroy was unable to extend the lead, instead settling for a number of shots off the cross bar and goal posts. Dorchester rebounded with a stronger second period, but a potential tying goal was waved off for kicking the puck in the net. It was more of the same in the third period as the Jr. Rockets defence of Dustin Davis, Jimmy Knapman, Tyler Noble-Welch and Caleb Vandenberk and goaltender Troy Cormier kept the opposition off the scoreboard, allowing the first period goal to hold up as the winner in a 1-0 Strathroy victory. Cormier recorded his 11th shutout of the season in the win for the Jr. Rockets.
Game 2 of the series took place on Saturday, Jan. 21st in Dorchester as Strathroy looked to take a commanding lead. The Jr. Rockets enjoyed a wide edge in play in the first two periods, but goals would again be at a premium as the game remained scoreless. Late in the second, Eric Kuindersma picked up a pass from Goulart and beat the remaining Dorchester defender to score on a partial breakaway to give Strathroy a 1-0 lead after two periods. The Jr. Rockets kept up the pressure in the third and were rewarded as Matt Pitt scored the crucial second goal, from Kuindersma and Davis, to give Strathroy a 2-goal lead. Late in the third, Matt Goulart would put the game out of reach as he blasted a slap shot from the side boards past the Dorchester goaltender to score short handed and make the final score 3-0. Matt Boere picked up victory, and his 7th shutout of the season, in the Strathroy net.
The third game of the series was played on Tuesday Jan. 24th and would prove to be the final game necessary to determine a winner. It would also see Dorchester turn in their best effort as they attempted to extend the series. After a scoreless first period, Strathroy opened the scoring in the second. Noble-Welch picked up a Lee pass and after a lengthy rush up ice found Pitt with a slap pass that Pitt deflected past the Dorchester goalie to make it 1-0. Dorchester answered soon after to tie the score at 1-1 heading to the third period. The Jr. Rockets got the start they were looking in the third as Goulart scored from Hamilton and Lambregts in the first minute to reclaim the lead at 2-1, but again Dorchester bounced right back, scoring on a slap shot from the point to tie the score at 2-2. Both teams had chances to win the game in regulation time, but the netminders kept the game deadlocked. Cormier came up big in net for the Jr. Rockets with an excellent glove save on a shot labeled for the corner, and with that, overtime would be needed to decide the outcome. The overtime period would be over within 3 minutes as Goulart was able to corral a loose puck in the neutral zone, speed in to the left of the Dorchester defence, and fire the slap shot winner to give Strathroy the series victory in 3 games.
The Newell Networking Strathroy Bantam AE Jr. Rockets now advance to face Petrolia in further preliminary round OMHA Playdown action beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 1st at the Gemini arena in Strathroy.
