Lancers men's hockey puts up two losses
By Tanya Quaglia
Lance Writer
February 4, 2009
 With the playoffs quickly approaching, the Windsor Lancers Men’s Hockey Team lost two critical road games this past weekend.
Friday night the Lancers faced the sixth seeded Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks. The Hawks, who previously were struggling against division opponent teams, easily dominated the first period.
After allowing three goals in the first 12 minutes of the game, the Lancers pulled goalie Jim Watt and replaced him with Tecumseh native Jonathan Hunter. Things did not get much better for the Lancers when Craig Voakes scored on the power play giving the Hawks a 4-0 lead to conclude the first period.
Penalties and a disappointing showmanship by all players proved costly for the Lancers. In the first period alone, they allowed 21 shots on net and they themselves only tested Hawks goalie, Jeff MacDougald five times.
With two periods looming, the Lancers needed to step up their game if they wanted to even have a chance at winning. Unfortunately, stronger play was not enough for the Lancers to solve Laurier’s offensive prowess. The Hawks managed to score two goals in 10 minutes, extending their lead to a dominating 6-0. Each team had 13 shots on net in the second, but the Lancers were unable to capitalize on any scoring chances.
One minute into the third period, any hopes for a miracle on ice, were quickly erased from the players’ minds when the Hawks scored their seventh unanswered goal of the game.
Everything continued to go downhill for the Lancers.
Both teams found themselves in the penalty box throughout the period. The Hawks scored the final goal of the game with just under six minutes remaining.
With less than 10 seconds remaining in the third, the Lancers’ frustration boiled over. Roughing penalties were handed out and Lancer Scott Todd was given a 10-minute game misconduct.
The Lancers were shut out 8-0, an embarrassing loss everyone wanted to quickly forget.
On Saturday, the Lancers faced the Western Mustangs, another team who is in the hunt for a final playoff spot.
Windsor proved that they can learn from the previous loss, and got on the board early in the first period.
Brett Vandehogen took advantage of a two-on-one rebound and scored just under three minutes into the game to give the Lancers a 1-0 lead. Six minutes later, the Mustangs scored on Jim Watt, but the Lancers spirits remained high.
The Mustangs had a chance to take the lead, when Lancer Jonathan Sciacca was served with a roughing penalty about halfway into the period. However, it was the Lancers who came out on top. Danny Anger scored short handed to give the Lancers a 2-1 lead. Each team had 11 shots on net heading into the second period.
Jim Watt was stellar in net during the second. Stopping all 26 shots that he faced, he single-handedly kept the Lancers in the game.
Watt did not let the Mustangs capitalize and their numerous scoring chances. Windsor could only manage six shots on the opposing goal and were unable to extend their lead.
To start the third, Matt McReady found himself in the box after being called for interference. The penalty quickly proved costly, as the Mustangs scored on the power play, tying the game at two.
Jim Watt continued to make spectacular saves but unfortunately, a questionable goal at the end of the third, was the Lancers’ downfall. The Mustangs won the game by a close score of 3-2.
The Lancers were out shot for the second straight game, this time the shots being 52-28.
Jim Watt was easily the best player on the ice for the Lancers and continued to give the team a chance at winning the game.
Unfortunately, strong play by Mustangs goalie Keyvan Hunt and not many scoring chances, were the Lancers downfall.
The Lancers have three games remaining on the schedule, all of them being played at home.
On Saturday night, the Lancers face the Mustangs yet again with hopes of sweet redemption.
|
