Admirals win in Dresden - lose next night to Essex 73’s
Brick by brick.
That is theme of this year’s edition of the Amherstburg Admirals and it certainly was proven this past weekend.
The Admirals travelled to Dresden last Friday night and returned with a 7-3 win over the Kings. Twenty-four hours later, back at the Libro Centre, Amherstburg came up just a little short in a 3-2 squeaker against the Essex 73’s.
It may not appear on paper, with their 2-4 Provincial Junior Hockey League (Jr. C) record, but the Admirals are slowly but surely building a foundation – brick by brick.
“Somewhere in this web what we have got going is championship DNA. I don’t know if they believe it or not, but they will,” said Admirals’ head coach Paul Bortigon after Saturday’s contest.
Without a doubt, the best player on the ice in the loss to the 73’s was second-year standout puckstopper Bennett Horrocks.
It might be a little hard to imagine, but officially he is credited with making 70 saves. It was veteran Hunter Welk the night before in Dresden picking up his first win as an Admiral.
“Everyone knows Hunter Welk and Bennett Horrocks are the best goalies in the league. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a performance as I have like Benny’s tonight,” said Bortignon.
The 73’s came out strong last Saturday night but it was Amherstburg’s Alex Schneider who put the hosts on the board first. Former Admiral Brett Jones tied it early in the second before Admirals’ rookie Matteo Zuech got his first of the year. With 22 seconds left in the middle frame, Adrian Bosev got one back for the visitors.
Noah Mathieson sealed it for Essex on the powerplay.
Despite the loss, Bortignon was pleased with the effort of his team which will travel to Mooretown this Saturday and Blenheim on Sunday.
“They knew they played well and they know there are things in hockey you can’t control. In the third we had some penalties and some guys didn’t play much but they still hung their heads up high.”
The Admirals built up a 5-0 lead in Dresden last Friday night, including three goals in less than two minutes. Janisse led the way with a pair of goals and an assist while Brayden Hebert had a goal and a couple of helpers. Also finding the back of the net were Schneider, Carter Maxey, Finnigan Russett and Cooper Woodman.
“I think we have found some good chemistry on that line of Schneider-Janisse-Hebert. We had a good start and we capitalized early,” said Bortignon.
Hebert, in his second year, and rookie Janisse lead the Admirals in scoring with eight points each in six games. Amherstburg could be without defenceman Xavier Gelinas for a few games as he was assessed a match penalty in the third period against Essex.
SLAPSHOTS: Former Amherstburg defenceman Cooper Bulmer has joined Rory Sandison in Wheatley…Blueliner Jack Emery has been released… Wyatt Goudie who played for the Admirals is now with the Sharks in Wheatley.
Admirals win in Dresden - lose next night to Essex 73’s
By Fred Groves
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