An 11-day game layoff certainly didn’t hamper the Amherstburg Admirals Saturday night as they downed the visiting Blenheim Blades 5-3.
Midway through the 42-game regular season schedule, the Admirals sport a 9-9-0-1 record along with a couple of shootout losses in the Provincial Junior Hockey League (Jr. C) West Stobbs Division.
“We definitely had to focus,” said forward Brett Jones of the layoff. “We worked hard in practice and we changed a few things. Tonight, we came out flying in the first period. That was our game plan.”
Rookie Wyatt Goudie put the hosts up early on a beauty of a pass from Cory Leach and it was 2-0 as Jones connected just 21 seconds into a powerplay.
A year ago, as a rookie, Jones had just 11 points in 27 games. This season, he has 21 points in as many games and leads the team in powerplay tallies with three.
“He is doing phenomenal. He is a great team guy and very detailed in practice,” said Amherstburg head coach Zack Gervais of Jones.
The Admirals managed somewhat of a rare feat Saturday, scoring on every possible situation – man advantage, shorthanded, even strength and empty net.
“We practiced Tuesday and Thursday and on Tuesday we pushed them hard, there was a lot of skating. Our main focus tonight was to cut down on the shift lengths,” said Gervais, who got his first win as the team’s new head coach.
Joining him on the bench were recently hired assistants, Justin Toth and former Admirals player, AJ Ryan.
After the hosts went up 2-0 in the first, Joey Hayter connected for the Blades. Rory Sandison gave the Admirals a two-goal margin in the middle frame with his team-leading 11th goal of the season. Drew Booker made it 4-1 with a wraparound shorthanded goal in the third. Booker and Jones each had a three-point night with a goal and a couple of helpers.
Blenheim pulled to within one as Landon Copeland and former Admiral Lukas Boudreau made it 4-3. The Blades yanked Owen Lemieux and Finnigan Russett scored into the empty net to give the Admirals their ninth win.
Lemieux made 35 saves on the night while at the other end of the rink, Amherstburg’s Russell Vaughan picked up his fifth win, turning away 23 shots.
The Admirals have a tough schedule this week as they play three games in five nights. Wednesday, they travel to Wheatley and are in Lakeshore to face the defending provincial champion Canadiens Friday.
“I think we are getting better. We definitely could finish third in this league. I think we have the potential to do that,” said Jones.
Amherstburg’s next game is Sunday at 6:30 p.m. as the Mooretown Flags visit the Libro Centre.
SLAPSHOTS: At the mid-way point of the regular season, the Admirals are the least penalized team in the eight-team division… Three stars on the night from Saturday against the Blades were Jones, Booker and Leach… Veteran blueliner Jadyn Brown was moved up to left winger for the night.
Jones, Booker lead Admirals past Blades
By Fred Groves
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