It hasn’t been the start to the PJHL Stobbs Division semi-final that the Amherstburg Admirals were hoping for.
The Admirals dropped the first two games of the best-of-seven series to the defending division and Schmalz Cup champion Lakeshore Canadiens by a combined score of 11-1 over the weekend. They looked to flip the momentum Tuesday night in Game 3 in Lakeshore, after this issue of the RTT went to press.
Game 1 was played last Friday night at the Atlas Tube Centre in Lakeshore with the Canadiens winning 6-1. Despite out-shooting the Canadiens 16-8 in the first period, Amherstburg trailed 3-1 after the first 20 minutes. Lakeshore took a 2-0 lead before a Rory Sandison powerplay goal pulled the Admirals within one.
The Canadiens would add one more goal in the first period, two more in the second period and one early in the third period to round out the scoring. The Admirals ended up with 31 shots on the night with Lakeshore having 23.
Marco Sladoje had a hat trick for the Canadiens while Nicolas Rosati scored a pair. Eric Bisson also scored for Lakeshore.
Game 2 was held Saturday night at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg and while it was a close game early, Lakeshore pulled away and won 5-0.
The two teams were tied at zero after the opening 20 minutes, with the Canadiens holding a 10-7 shot advantage, but Lakeshore scored twice in the second period and outshot Amherstburg 22-7 in the middle frame. The third period saw Amherstburg surrender three more goals.
Total shots in Saturday night’s game were 43 for Lakeshore and 24 for Amherstburg.
The Canadiens had five different goal scorers in Game 2 with Rosati, Sladoje, Bryce Scarlett, Bisson and Evan Fenech hitting the scoresheet.
Admirals head coach Zack Gervais was not happy with his team’s effort after Game 2, believing they can play much better.
“Not enough compete from our team,” said Gervais. “Not enough effort.”
Gervais acknowledged Lakeshore is a good team with a lot of skill, but said the Admirals should be putting forth a better performance.
“We have to work harder,” he said Saturday night. “I expect more from them in Game 3.”
The Admirals came off a come-from-behind series victory in seven games over the Wheatley Sharks in the PJHL Stobbs Division quarterfinal, but Gervais said that series should have been put behind them and they should have been ready for Lakeshore and the fact they are in the semi-finals.
“I expected our guys to turn the page. We have to compete better,” he said. “It’s just a mindset.”
The Admirals have to be “more in their face” against Lakeshore the rest of the series. He said there were points in Game 1 where they played well but they have to play hard for 60 minutes every night.
After Tuesday’s Game 3, the Admirals return to the Libro Centre Thursday night for Game 4 with the faceoff being at 7:30 p.m.
If necessary, Game 5 will be Friday night in Lakeshore at 7 p.m. and Game 6 will be Sunday at 6 p.m. in Amherstburg. Should a Game 7 be needed, it is scheduled for March 18 in Lakeshore at 7 p.m.
Admirals drop first two games of semi-final to Lakeshore
By Ron Giofu
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