Admirals lose in overtime to Flags and also fall to Blenheim

Admirals’ defenceman Holden Wiley (right) attempts to get to the puck ahead of Flags’ Landon Marcy in Saturday night’s game in Mooretown. Amherstburg lost 6-5 in overtime.

It wasn’t the results the Amherstburg Admirals were hoping for.

The Admirals travelled to Mooretown last Saturday night had a three-goal lead with 3:45 left to play but fell 6-5 to the Flags in overtime.

“It’s the same thing that’s been going on all year – not a commitment to defence, not a commitment to being a team player,” said an obviously frustrated Admirals’ head coach Zack Gervais.

While the Flags scored first and were up a goal after 20 minutes, it was Amherstburg who completely dominated in the middle frame, bursting out of the break and scoring five goals to take a 5-2 lead into the third.

After missing five games due to an injury, forward Stefan Djordjevic scored back-to-back followed by tallies from captain Drew Booker and just 40 seconds later rookie Liam Thiessen scored on the powerplay. Cale Marontate got his second of the year to put Amherstburg way ahead.

“They do a good job in practice and when it comes to game time they play for a period-and-a-half and fall apart,” said Gervais.

A couple of bright spots in this one for Amherstburg was the physical presence of veteran Finnigan Russett and rookie blueliner Holden Wiley.

But as they did back on Oct. 16 in Harrow, the Flags rallied to win it in overtime.

“In Harrow we were up 4-1. Tonight, we were up 5-2 and we blew it. It’s the same stuff we keep going over and over. There is no commit late in the game and that’s what we’re missing right now,” said Gervais.

Mooretown chipped away at the Admirals lead Saturday night scoring a pair just seven seconds apart before Owen Macdonald got the winner just 25 seconds into overtime.

“It’s super frustrating. We haven’t put a full game in since we played Blenheim (Sept. 27) and beat them.”

The visiting Admirals were in Blenheim Sunday night and saw their Provincial Junior Hockey League (Jr. C) West Stobbs Division record fall to 5-8-2-0 as they were beaten 6-4 by the Blades. Scoring for the visitors who trailed 4-0 after the first period were Brody Gillis with a pair, Freddie McGroy and Evan MacPherson.

Last Tuesday, Booker had the lone Admirals goal in an 8-1 loss to the host Essex 73’s.

The Admirals have lost four straight and given up 20 goals in their last three games.

The Admirals are in Dresden Friday night to play their fourth consecutive road game and host the Lakeshore Canadiens at the Libro Centre Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

SLAPSHOTS: Goalie Bennett Horrocks was called up to the LaSalle Vipers  Jr. B team Saturday night where he made 31 saves in a 3-0 loss to host Cambridge… Assistant captain Allan Djordjevic got a two-game suspension as a result of a head contact penalty Saturday in Mooretown.

Admirals lose in overtime to Flags and also fall to Blenheim

By Fred Groves