Three points for Admirals as they move up in standings
- Fred Groves
- 18 minutes ago
- 3 min read
When the game is on the line, you look to your veterans.
That certainly was the case Saturday night as the host Amherstburg Admirals held off a strong Wheatley Omstead Sharks 3-1.
Up by a pair of goals in the second period, the Admirals had to play nearly five minutes shorthanded. Defenceman Luka Milosevic, one of five overagers on this year’s roster, stood tall and strong defending in front of rookie goalie Bennett Horrocks.
While the Sharks had lots of chances, they came up short and it seemed to tip the game in favour of Amherstburg.
“I think that gave us the momentum. Going from 5-on-4 to 5-on-3 for an extra four minutes, staying out there and shutting them down, I think that was the turning point in the game,” said Milosevic.
Blueliner Spencer MacKenzie was in the penalty box and he was quickly joined by fellow defenceman Holden Wiley who was assessed four minutes for slew-footing.
Milosevic was playing in his 132nd Provincial Junior Hockey League game having spent time with Essex the past two years and Wheatley prior to that. According to Amherstburg coach Zack Gervais, he said Milosevic has been playing pretty banged up as of late.
“He just keeps playing, he never complains about it.”
Amherstburg’s Cory Leach opened the scoring when he scored while off balance on a great effort in the first period and Cale Marontate got the eventual game winner in the second. Marontate was praised by Gervais for his penalty-killing.
“On the kill we like to win the faceoffs, so we put Marontate and (Drew) Booker out there,” said Gervais.
Former Admiral Kyle Bleau, who Milosevic battled with all night got one back for the Sharks before Brady Drouillard scored into the empty net.
Horrocks was awarded the yellow jacket as the Admirals’ best player as he made 46 saves, 23 of those in the second period. It was a very physical game which saw several roughing and fighting penalties.
“I think we still have another gear, but our offensive zone can definitely be better. I am proud of the way we worked tonight,” said Milosevic.
The Admirals travelled to Blenheim Sunday night where they came away with a much-needed point as they came up short 5-4 to the Blades in overtime.
After the Blades opened the scoring midway in the opening period, Wiley responded for the Admirals just 10 seconds later. Stefan Djordjevic put the Admirals up a goal after 20 minutes. Blenheim’s special teams responded with a pair of powerplay goals and one shorthanded.
Also scoring for Amherstburg were Booker with his 12th of the year and Zach Vaillancourt. Blenheim’s David Brown got the winner 47 seconds into overtime when they were playing 3-on-3. Former Admiral Stefan Jacobs had a goal and a couple of helpers for Blenheim.
With the point, the Admirals are now tied for fifth place with the Dresden Kings in the West Stobbs Division with 33 points.
The Admirals host the Blades this Friday in Tecumseh at 7:30 p.m. and host the Sharks back at the Libro Centre Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
SLAPSHOTS… The postponed game with the Walpole Island will be played Feb. 15 at 5:30 p.m in Amherstburg… The PJHL announced on Jan. 24 that Admirals’ trainer Liam Devine has been suspended indifinitely... Fourth year veteran Allan Djordjevic played in his 143rd regular season game on Sunday putting him fourth on the all-time games played list.
Three points for Admirals as they move up in standings
By Fred Groves