Admirals take on Lakeshore in pair of pre-season games
- Fred Groves
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
One thing for certain about the Amherstburg Admirals this season, they are going to be a lot more physical up front.
The visiting Admirals came up shy 4-3 in overtime in their second of back-to-back pre-season games with the Lakeshore Canadiens last Friday night at the Atlas Tube Centre.
A noticeable physical presence came from Stefan Djordjevic, and Cale Marontate, both new to the Addys as well as veteran Dallas Kelly.
“They (Djordjevic and Marontate) came from Jr. B. They know how to be tough on the puck. That first shift tonight Stef laid the body right away and it got our whole bench going,” said a pleased Admirals head coach Zack Gervais.
Amherstburg led 1-0 after the first on Liam Tiessen’s goal and it was 2-2 after 40 minutes as defenceman Jake Goudreault scored on the powerplay for the visitors. Kelly scored on a nifty unassisted marker in the third, but the Canadiens sent it into overtime with 33 seconds left in regulation time.
“I say he (Kelly) is going to be one of the guys we lean on when times get tough, and they will,” said Gervais of the third-year centre Kelly. “He’s more vocal, he’s a leader.”
The night before at the Libro Centre, the Admirals were blasted 10-1.
“It’s night-and-day from our previous game. Tonight didn’t feel like a pre-season game. They showed a lot of grit and physicality which was good to see,” said Gervais.
While a few decisions still need to be made on who will make this year’s roster, one definite is who will be in goal. Amherstburg will have two new netminders.
Friday night saw 16-year-old Landon Dimitroff turn away 25 shots in his junior debut. He showed a lot of poise, made some excellent saves and did not get flustered when the Canadiens were crashing the net.
“We are excited about the future with him, he’s a competitor,” said Gervais.
Dimitroff will be joined by Jack Thomas. Last year’s duo of Russell Vaughan, was traded to his hometown Blenheim and Dominic DeZorzi who was released last week.
Gervais said the 2025-26 team is about 90 per cent chosen and the Admirals coaching staff will have a few days to make some final adjustments before their Sept. 17 opener in Wheatley.
“We haven’t practiced as a team yet. Those guys (Lakeshore) have been together for two weeks.”
Amherstburg announced the signing of three new players last week, forward Evan Kelin and defencemen Jackson Blair and MacKenzie Spencer.
SLAPSHOTS… The Admirals home opener is set for Sept. 20 versus Dresden. Puck drop at the Libro Centre is 7:30 p.m… Former Admirals defenceman Landon Prince had a strong couple of games including two goals and an assist in Thursday’s matchup.
Admirals take on Lakeshore in pair of pre-season games
By Fred Groves