Congratulations to the Dresden Industrial Novice Local South Kent Lightning squad for defeating the Wallaceburg Lakers in 2 games to clinch the Tri-County Hockey League Novice Championship.
Well they made us earn it.......
After completing a perfect regular season going 20-0 in Tri-County Action I knew the Wallaceburg Lakers would be gunning for us. They finished second overall in regular season play and got the better of us in the Playoff Round Robin defeating my squad twice by scores of 5-2, 4-2 and tying us once 2-2 before surrendering a lopsided 7-0 loss. Sometimes when you have a regular season like our team had you need a little wake up call, I'm just glad that came in the round robin.
Wallaceburg had home ice advantage for game #1 however due to ice conflicts it was scheduled in Blenheim Sunday Mar 21st. After 2 weeks dormant not playing any real games the squad was recharged and ready go. This is where you would think I'd tell you that we came out flying and dominated play. Unfortunately it wasn't the case, off the opening draw Wallaceburg's top scorer won the faceoff clean, proceeded to dance around my normally stingy defense corp. and laid a top shelf bullet past my goaltender not more than 8 seconds into the opening frame. This is a time when you find out as coach if your players have bought into what you've talk about all year, hard work, never giving up, playing a full game. Some teams crumble in big games when things don't start off right, but not this team.....
The Novice Locals would storm back and took control of the game with Kalen turner tying it up a few minutes later with an assist from his defense partner Samantha Stewart. From there on we controlled the game, I believe our goaltender Shane Brown only had to make 3 or 4 more saves on the way to victory. At 5:45 of the second period Kalen Turner strikes again assisted by Wyatt Boak. Three minutes later Parker Collins knocked in a rebound in the crease with Boak drawing another assist. The 3rd period was all South Kent as Ryley Cammaert scored on a tic tac toe passing play from Jackson Kalp and Darric Brown. Vincent Vaughan capped off the South Kent scoring at 4:39 of the 3rd with assists from Niko Holmes and Dennis Warwick
It was a complete team effort as we had strong defensive play from Nate Jeromel, Dani Betterley, and Brady Pook we walked away with a 5-1 win and 1-0 lead in the best of 3 Series.
Game 2 was Monday March 22nd in Wallaceburg, a rink where we owned 6-0-1 record through the season. I felt pretty confident in our team’s chances but knew that Wallaceburg was going to bring it at home. We had Eric Romano back in the lineup so I was able to put together the "Little Italy" Line of Eric alongside, Niko Holmes and Vincent Vaughan(Note Niko might not be Italian but sounds good). If they kept stats in Minor Hockey that lines Corsi % for puck possession would be through the roof. The play went back and forth for the first couple minutes until an unfortunate offensive zone pinch allowed W'burgs top scorer to again find himself in all alone on our tender. A slick 5 hole shot put W'burg on the board and the locals trailing 1-0 early on for the second straight game. But we again came right back as Ryley Cammaert answered tying the game assisted by Jackson Kalp and Darric Brown. The Lightning poured it on as later Parker Collins scored a tap in goal from Brady Pook giving us two goals in under a minute. The 2nd period was a chess match until we ran into penalty trouble. With Kalen Turner in the box for tripping, Wyatt Boak scored a shorthanded goal assisted by Vincent Vaughan and Dennis Warwick. Absolutely amazing! Moments later with Ryley Cammaert serving two minutes for another questionable tripping call Jackson Kalp battled down low in the offensive zone and scored another shorthanded goal assisted by Warwick. The effort level was tremendous. Shortly before the end of the 2nd period Wallaceburg cut the lead in half with a 1:33 to go.
The Lakers didn't plan to go away quietly as they scored again at 8:23 of the third to cut the South Kent lead to one. The Lightning battled hard defensively for the next 5 minutes, Brady Pook scored what should have been an insurance goal with a blast from the slot that five holed the W'burg goalie along the ice so hard it caromed off the back post and came out of the net as fast as it went in. to my dismay the referees waved it off, the players on the ice in disbelief they managed to overcome it and continued to play strong defense in front of goalie Shane Brown. South Kent controlled the play in the offensive zone for the last 2 minutes with Dani Betterley, Samantha Stewart and Nate Jeromel holding the line and keeping the pressure on. Vincent Vaughan had multiple chances in front of the net to clinch the win however the Laker goalie Carter Vanderwert who was strong all year kept his team in it. I called a time out with 48 seconds remaining for a quick breather and a defensive discussion. I thought I had it all figured out, what could go wrong with 48 seconds left….
The events that unfolded next resemble something you'd see in the movies.
Immediately following the ensuing faceoff Kalen Turner was called for a trip as a loose puck was exiting our zone, as the South Kent players skated furiously down the ice towards their goal to touch the puck and get a whistle Dennis Warwick was called for a second trip on the same play. With only 8 seconds to go and two South Kent players in the box, the Lakers pulled their goalie for a 6 on 3 advantage with the faceoff deep in the South Kent zone. The puck was dropped, Eric Romano, Wyatt Boak and Ryler Cammaert scrambled the draw, Wallaceburg was only able to get a weak shot directed at the South Kent net, Shane Brown knocked the puck aside and the Dresden Industrial Novice Local Lightning were crowned the Tri-County League Novice Champions.
I can’t be prouder of this team, they worked hard every game this year, they did everything I asked them to do. I can say with certainty that every player on this team has improved tremendously and the potential that these players have is limitless. This has been a wonderful season for me as Head Coach, the kids were great, the parent group was exceptional. I would also like to thank my staff for doing a bang up job all year long. Asst. Coach Calvin Holmes for introducing new ideas to the practice plan regularly, Trainer Matt Kalp for leading the team in bench minors, but also keeping the lines organized in games, Manager Louie Jeromel for blowing out the speakers at the Blenheim Arena (Don’t worry they don’t know it was you *Wink Wink*) and Asst. Trainer Alex Brown for providing your calming touch during a medical emergency.
I would like to congratulate all the players, you truly are champions and I wish you all the best next year!!
Thanks,
Jack Brown
Head Coach
Novice Local