The South Kent Lightning (Taco Bell) Bantam Reps have been keeping busy on the ice with exhibition games, in between playdowns and playoffs, splitting the outcome with two wins and two losses.
They started a two-game challenge against Dorchester Dragons on January 27th in Dorchester followed by a home game on January 31st, both with an unfavourable outcome. In Dorchester, South Kent went down 3-0, but in Ridgetown, Aiden Rigby opened the scoring in the first period with assists from Brett Davidson and Quinn Pickering. Dorchester scored two in the second to win with a score of 2-1.
The next series, against Strathroy Rockets, was in South Kent's favour winning both games. On February 7th, they hosted Strathroy in Ridgetown and again Rigby opened the scoring in the first period, unassisted. Twenty seconds later, Strathroy tied it up. Second period also ended in a tie, with two goals per team. Scoring for South Kent was Braydon Segeren and Derek Schieman, with assists from Jamie Pynenbrouck and Segeren. Halfway through period 3, Segeren took the lead with Pynenbrouck's help and 3 minutes later, Pynenbrouck put away an insurance goal with Daniel Beunen assisting. Strathroy scored 6 seconds later but it wasn't enough as South Kent won with a 5-4 score. Winning goalie was James Larsh.
February 8th took the Lightning up to Strathroy for their last exhibition game, and a tight one it was. The first period ended in a tie with Strathroy striking first at 4:34. With only 1 second left, Pynenbrouck roofed the puck into the back of the net after the pass from Segeren to tie the game. Strathroy opened scoring in the second period to take the lead which held until 2:28 left in the period when quick passing from James Mifflin and Brett Davidson to set up the goal for Quinn Pickering. The last minute of the period was busy when Strathroy again took the lead but at the 7 second mark, Schieman powered one in, with Pynenbrouck and Segeren helping out. The tie game held until 1:14 left in the third period when Segeren passed the puck to Rigby who zinged one past the goalie for the winning goal, ending the game at 4-3. Winning goalie was Daniel Rodger.
The team now heads into league playoff games.