Lack of offense hurts Admirals in 2-0 loss in Lakeshore

Admirals’ centre Finnigan Russett (right) goes up against Lakeshore’s Vaughan Truppe during last Friday night’s game at the Atlas Tube Centre in Lakeshore. The Canadiens defeated the Admirals by a final score of 2-0.

If the Amherstburg Admirals want to win hockey games, they are going to have to find a way to generate more offence. 

The Admirals managed just 13 shots on net last Friday night in Lakeshore in a 2-0 loss to the host Canadiens.

“We’ve been playing well lately, we’re working hard but right now our top six (forwards) have no production, it’s flat,” said Admirals’ head coach Zack Gervais after the game.

Kyle Greene opened the scoring for the Canadiens at the 8:20 mark of the first period. Amherstburg had a chance to tie it in the second when they went on the powerplay but erased the opportunity with an undisciplined penalty of their own. The other goal for Lakeshore, from Jordan Maine came just 16 seconds into the second period.

On the night, the Admirals were zero-for-three with the man advantage and in their last five games have converted just two of 16 on the powerplay.

“On the powerplay guys aren’t moving the puck quick enough so we just have to keep working on it,” said Gervais.

Gervais went on to say that the Admirals top offensive forwards do not seem to have much of a compete level and that the others are playing up to expectations.

Amherstburg had a good chance to tie it as they started the middle frame on the powerplay but could not cash in.

“We are getting a lot of opportunities on the powerplay. We’ve got five skilled guys and they can’t set it up. It’s got to change.”

There were a few bright spots Friday night in Lakeshore in a physical game as rookie defenceman MacKenzie Spencer laid out a good solid hit and goalie Bennet Horrocks made 31 saves, many of them close range off of rebound attempts.

Gervais had praise for both Horrocks who came over in a trade with Essex, and fellow rookie goalie Landon Dimitroff.

“They keep us in every single game.”

Amherstburg will try and get back on the winning side of things this weekend with back-to-back games at home.

Dresden visits the Libro Centre for a 7:30 p.m. start on Saturday and the next night the Addys host Mooretown at 5 p.m.

SLAPSHOTS: Captain Drew Bookeer and assistant captain Jake Goudreault have suited up for all 20 games thus far.

Lack of offense hurts Admirals in 2-0 loss in Lakeshore

By Fred Groves