Admirals beat Walpole Island but lose to Blenheim last week
A win and a loss for the Amherstburg Admirals this past week means they now sit at 4-7-0 in the PJHL’s Stobbs Division.
The Admirals came up with their most explosive offensive game of the year last Thursday night at Walpole Island, a 7-0 blanking of the Wild. It was the first shutout of the season for second-year netminder Bennett Horrocks.
The tables were turned on the Admirals two nights later at the Libro Centre, with them getting off to a slow start and falling 3-1 to the visiting Blenheim Blades.
“The first period we didn’t have much jump, we were still set on the pace from Thursday night,” said Amherstburg head coach Paul Bortignon.
As he has done all season thus far, Horrocks made some huge stops in the first period.
“When you get outshot 22-4 in the first period, it’s not a good way to start the game,” Bortignon.
A shorthanded goal and a defensive miscue in their own end cost the Admirals in the game against the Blades. There were a few highlights including a blocked shot in the first period by Carter Maxey and bursts of energy from Curtis Chamney.
Chamney returned to the lineup after sitting out three games with a suspension and took a trip to the penalty box early in Saturday night’s game.
“He got that penalty in the first period and he could have crumbled but he bounced back from it. He has a lot of speed and energy,” said Bortignon.
Amherstburg was without the services of veteran Cory Leach, who is nursing an injury but is expected to return soon along with goalie Hunter Welk. Edwin Stallard came to backup Horrocks the past two games. Captain Cale Marontate was at the Canadian College Athletic Association golf championship where he had an impressive finish.
It was all Amherstburg last Thursday night as they led 2-0 after the first and 5-0 after 40 minutes.
Leading the way offensively for the Admirals was Brayden Hebert with two goals and a pair of helpers for a big four point night. He had the lone goal in Saturday’s game against the Blades and leads the team with 15 points in 11 games.
Also connecting were Leach with a pair, Matthew Gomes, Liam Thiessen, and Alex Schneider. Rookie centre Parker Janisse had three assists.
“When you win 7-0 you aren’t going to see too many mistakes,” said Bortignon.
The Admirals were supposed to host the Wild on Sunday but that is being rescheduled. They will try and get back on the winning side this Friday night when they travel to Lakeshore for a 7 p.m. The Admirals are in Mooretown Sunday night for a 7:30 p.m. game.
SLAPSHOTS: Former Admirals goalie Russell Vaughan got the win for the Blades on Saturday… Owen Arthur played his first game for the Admirals against the Wild… Great fish fry held by the team on Friday night.
Admirals beat Walpole Island but lose to Blenheim last week
By Fred Groves
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