Height does not measure heart.
That’s what is written on the back of Russell Vaughan’s helmet and it was certainly true this past weekend.
At the Libro Centre Sunday night, the 5’6”, 160-pound rookie goalie turned away 31 saves, backstopping the Amherstburg Admirals to a 1-0 shutout win over the Wheatley Sharks.
The night before Vaughan made 21 saves in a 3-1 victory for the Admirals against the Dresden Kings. With back-to-back wins at home, coupled with a shootout loss against host Walpole Island last Thursday, the Admirals picked up a possible five-of-six points, propelling them into a tie for third place in the eight team West Stobbs Division of the Provincial Junior Hockey League (Junior C)
“A lot of teams doubt him because of his size but he’s got an attribute with his heart and he’s willing to battle it out,” said Amherstburg head coach Beau Hunter of his number one puckstopper.
A 2007-born player, Vaughan is one of the youngest players on the local club and looks to have a long and promising future in junior hockey.
“I am a very flexible goalie. I play aggressive and fast and that’s how I make up for my size,” said Vaughan after Sunday night’s shutout win, his first as a junior.
It was scoreless in the first period versus the Sharks which have four former Admirals’ players on their rosters and it was not until 31 seconds left in the middle frame when veteran Allan Djordjevic got the lone tally on the night, his third goal in as many games.
“Get to the front of the net, get the dirty goals. That is what he’s doing,” said Hunter of Djordjevic.
The third period was the toughest between the pipes for Vaughan as the hosts had to kill a late penalty and Wheatley pulling their goalie, were up six skaters to four. Perhaps the biggest save of the night came with just five seconds left when former Admiral Kyle Bleau was right on the doorstep alone and came up on the short end of another spectacular save by Vaughan.
The only goal Vaughan gave up Saturday night came early in the first period and now he has a five-period shutout streak going which translates into a .904 save percentage and a 2.69 goals against average.
After the game against the Sharks, he had praise for those on the blueline in front of him.
“I can’t see around them all the time but if they’re blocking shots, I’m happy.”
Sunday against the visiting Kings, Brett Jones had a powerplay goal along with an assist as the second-year forward leads the Admirals with 17 points in 18 games. Also finding the back of the net, also with the man-advantage was Jake Goudreault while Djordjevic added an empty netter.
Kaden Juodikis who played football at the University of Windsor last year continues to be a force to reckon with as a forechecker and was awarded the Yellow Jacket as the Admirals Player of the Game.
“When we bring the pressure, I want teams to adapt to us, not us to them,” said Hunter.
Three games in four nights started at Walpole Island Thursday where the Admirals had to settle for a single point after a shootout loss to the host Wild. Scoring for Amherstburg were Drew Booker, Wyatt Goudie with his first, and Djordjevic.
SLAPSHOTS… The Admirals head to Wheatley on Wednesday and there are no home games at the Libro Centre this week… Great community involvement by the Admirals as they held Remembrance Day ceremonies and are in the midst of “Show Your Stache” campaign in support of the Erie Shores Health Foundation… Kudos to equipment guys Todd and Dillon Bezaire for getting the team ready in back-to-back games.
Vaughan outstanding and backstop Admirals to two wins
By Fred Groves
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