The Strathroy Midget Local League Blue Team, sponsored by Doug and Marion’s Bike Sales and Repairs and Helkka Pools, delivered some improved results recently by putting together a three game undefeated streak. The team came away with two wins and a tie in league games played Jan. 19, 20 and 22.
In the first game, the Jr. Rockets skated to an upset 7-6 victory over the West Division leading Point Edward Blackhawks. Strathroy lead 2-1 after two periods before a wild third period saw the teams each score 5 times. Brad Neath opened the scoring in the first from Littlejohn and B. Lamont before the visitors tied it up at 1-1 to end the period. Neath then restored the lead at 2-1 as he picked up his second of the game from Kennedy, but Point Edward tied it back up just seconds into the third period to make the score 2-2. Strathroy bounced back strongly and opened up a 6-2 lead with four consecutive goals from Bobby Lamont, Eric Kuindersma (2) and Gavin Littlejohn as Neath, Littlejohn and Kennedy drew assists. Not to be outdone, Point Edward then roared back, scoring three times in just over three and a half minutes, twice with the goaltender pulled for an extra skater, to make the score 6-5. With a nervous crowd catching their breath, Neath was able to complete his hat trick into an empty net on a pass from Kennedy to seal the victory with under twenty seconds to play. The goal would be needed as the visitors finished the scoring with just two seconds on the clock to make the final 7-6.
The second game saw Strathroy take on the Lambton Shores Predators. The Jr. Rockets fell behind 2-0 in the first period before Garrett Kennedy scored from Neath and Kuindersma, knocking home a rebound to make it 2-1. Strathroy would then tie it up before the end of the first as Neath scored on the power play from Littlejohn to even the score at 2-2. The Jr. Rockets then took their first lead, 3-2, with the only goal of the second period as Jeff Cleland converted a goal-mouth scramble as Neath and Newell drew assists. The lead would hold up until the final stages of the third period on the strength of solid defensive play from Burgess, Grasman, Silva and Vandenberk and some big saves from netminder Glasgow. Unfortunately, with their goaltender out of the net, Lambton Shores scored on a screen shot from the point with just thirty seconds to play, making the final score 3-3 and denying Strathroy a second consecutive victory.
The third game saw Strathroy Blue take on Strathroy Red in an evenly matched, spirited contest that featured multiple lead changes. Red opened the scoring mid-way through the first period, but Blue came back with two late scores to take a 2-1 lead as Neath continued his hot play scoring on a slap shot after a pass from Burgess, and Josh Flenniken tallied from Newell just before the buzzer. Strathroy Red would bounce back in the second period with two consecutive goals to retake the lead 3-2 heading into the final period. With nine minutes remaining, Neath picked up his second of the game from Kuindersma and Vandenberk to tie the score at 3-3. Three minutes later, it was Neath again with the winner, jamming home his third of the game from Kuindersma and Kennedy to make the final score 4-3. Chris Glasgow kept Strathroy Red off the score sheet the rest of the way to earn the victory in net for Strathroy Midget Blue.