Mar 09, 2011 | Ryan Lamont | 2038 views
Bantam A/E Storm playoff run comes to an end
The Lakeshore Recreation/ Bruce County Physio Bantam A/E Storm played against the Port Perry Predators in the semi-finals of the O.M.H.A. play downs.
Game 1 was on Saturday February 26 at the Plex. The Storm had strong fan support. Port Perry controlled the puck right off the opening faceoff, and were able to score 55 seconds into the game. The Storm tried to even up the score, but could not get anything going. With 5 minutes to go in the first, Port Perry would take a 2-0 lead after the Storm could not clear there zone. The Storm were down 2-0 after the first period. In the second, Port Perry again was dominating in the Storm zone. Port Perry would score 2 minutes into the second and never looking back adding another 2 goals in the period to lead 5-0 with one period to go. As was seen for much of the playoffs, the Storm came out ready to play in the third. Four minutes into the final frame, Ryan Crosetta put the Storm on the board after a scramble in front of the net with Cole Farrish and Eric Parr assisting. Port Perry would score less than 2 minutes later to win the game 6-1.
The Storm came out the next day trying to even up the series on home ice. Saugeen Shores had some good scoring chances in the first, but could not put anything on the board. Mid way through the first, Port Perry was able to score on a breakaway to take a 1-0 lead after the first period. In the second, The Storm were all over Port Perry in the offensive zone, but were unable to tie up the game. With six minutes to go in the second, Port Perry was able to make it 2-0 on a 2 on 1 goal. Early in the third, the Predators expanded their lead to 3-0. With six minutes to go in the third, Charlie Wilkinson scored on a breakaway with Parr and Connor Speer assisting. Port Perry would score again shortly after and take the game 4-1.
Saugeen Shores knew that it was do or die the following weekend in Port Perry. On Friday, The Storm came out and tried to extend their season for one more day. Early in the game, Saugeen Shores had some good scoring chances, but found themselves down 2-0 after the first period. In the second, Jake Dawson scored after a scramble in front with Cole Farrish and Crosetta getting the helpers. Port Perry would score seconds later to take a 3-1 lead. With less than three minutes to go in the second, Evan Lovering scored off a shot at the faceoff dot, to put Saugeen Shores down by one going to the third. Saugeen Shores again applied the pressure in the final frame but still found themselves down 3-2. Speer tied the game with 1:57 left in the game with Crosetta, and Taylor Cameron assisting to send the game to overtime. In the extra frame, despite keeping the play in the Port Perry end, the Storm could not find the winner, so the game ended in a 3-3 tie forcing a game 4.
Game 4 was Saturday. Despite playing most of the game shorthanded, the Storm never gave up and still competed. Port Perry was able to get a power play goal early in the first period to take a 1-0 lead. Saugeen Shores had some good scoring chances, but were unable to find the back of the net. In the second, it was more of the same with most of the play in the offensive zone for the Storm. The Storm found themselves down 2-0 five minutes into the second. A short time later, the Storm got on the board when Justin Lamont scored off a shot from the point with Speer assisting. Port Perry would add two more goals in the period to lead 4-1 after the second. The Storm came out trying to compete but had to play most of the period shorthanded. Port Perry would add two more in the final from to win the game 6-1 and take the series in 4 games.
It has been a great playoff run for the boys. They played their hearts out every game and should be proud of what they accomplished. Thanks to the coaching staff of Dave MacKay; head Coach, Dennis Kazimer; assistant Coach, Daryl Lamont; assistant Coach, Jim Dawson; Trainer and Doug Farrish; Manager.