Admirals come-from-behind twice to win in overtime

The Amherstburg Admirals observed Remembrance Day prior to last Saturday night’s game.

What a difference a week can make.

This past weekend the Amherstburg Admirals came-from-behind twice to win in overtime. Those come on the heels of a disappointing Nov. 1 extra time loss to Mooretown. The Admirals travelled to Dresden last Friday night where they battled back from a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 and the next night at the Libro Centre, were once again down by a pair and beat the Lakeshore Canadiens 5-4 in overtime.

“At Tuesday’s practice they worked unbelievably hard for an hour-and-a-half. We pushed them and changed our defensive zone coverage,” said Amherstburg head coach Zack Gervais.

The Admirals scored first Saturday night against the Canadiens when Stefan Djordjevic, who has had at least one point in his last five games, made it 1-0 for the hosts. However, part way into the middle frame, the visitors were up 3-1.

“We started the game pretty well. With teams like Lakeshore and Essex, you can’t take your foot off the gas. Last time we played them (Canadiens), they beat us 7-0 and they dictated the play,” commented Gervais.

Despite being forced off the big ice pad at the Libro Centre due to poor conditions and playing in the smaller rink where several lights were out, the Admirals led by Cale Marontate rallied from behind to pick up the two points.

“The execution wasn’t there,” said Marontate of the previous overtime loss to the Flags. “We had two good practices this week and focused on the details.”

Against the Canadiens Saturday night, the Harrow resident had a goal and a couple of big setups including the winner by defenceman Jake Goudreault just 44 seconds into overtime when the sides were playing 3-on-3.

“It was a broken play. I fed it to Jonesy (Bret Jones) and he had great vision to get it to Jake and he had a one-timer.”

Marontate helped the Chatham Maroons Jr. B team win the Sutherland Cup last year and thus far with the Admirals has 12 points in 15 games.

“I started out a little slow. I’m getting acclimated to my teammates. We are gelling now and we want to keep this going.”

Djordjevic had two goals for the winners and Rory Sandison had a huge one when he burst down the left side. Canadiens goalie Boe Piroski came way out to try and make a poke save but Sandison netted his fourth of the year.

Friday in Dresden, the visiting Admirals trailed 2-0 but led by the one goal and one assist performance of rookie Liam Tiessen won 3-2. Veteran Finnigan Russett who has turned into a consistent two-way player, got the winner with the other from Jones.

Bennett Horrocks got both wins between the pipes for the Admirals, making 36 saves against the Kings followed by 36 more stops against the Canadiens.

Amherstburg took its PJHL West Stobbs Division 7-8-2-0 record into Essex Tuesday night and this Sunday will host the Flags with a puck drop at 5 p.m.

SLAPSHOTS:    Rookie goalie Landon Dimitroff made 14 saves to help the West team beat the North at the Prospect game. The Admirals are hosting a dinner at the Legion on Saturday night… Jones is just two assists away from reaching the milestone of 50 regular season setups.

Admirals come-from-behind twice to win in overtime

By Fred Groves