For the second straight game, the Amherstburg Admirals came up short against the Mooretown Flags.
The visitors had a slim 2-1 first period lead last Saturday night in Mooretown, but fell short 5-4. Six days earlier in Amherstburg, it was the Flags prevailing 2-1 in an exciting shootout.
With the loss, the Admiral dropped their Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) Jr. C record to 6-7-1-0 and will try and get back to .500 hockey Thursday when they travel to Walpole Island to faceoff against the Wild.
Mooretown is one of the teams the Admirals are chasing in the West Stobbs Division.
“It’s a concern in the standings. If we clean up our act, it’s a different game,” said Admirals’ coach Beau Hunter, who was not overly pleased with his team’s effort on Saturday.
Ryan Dufour opened the game’s scoring as he teamed up with Wyatt Goudie just 2:30 into the first period. Jack Baerg replied for the hosts less than two minutes later before Dufour made it 2-1, again set up by Goudie and help from blueliner Declan McGrath.
It took Mooretown captain Jace Dupuis just 18 seconds into the middle frame to deadlock the score at two, but the visiting Admirals reclaimed the lead at 11:17 as Rory Sandison got his team leading tenth of the year with assists going to Maxton Evans and Jack Wycisk.
A powerplay tally by Dylan Dupuis tied it before Baerg got his second of the night which gave Mooretown a 4-3 advantage after 40 minutes. His goal came with just 13 seconds left in the period.
More than once this year the Admirals have fallen victim to their opponents scoring early or late period goals and Mooretown took the lead.
Rookie Cory Leach tied it for Amherstburg early in the third on a powerplay goal from Jack Bulmer. Goudie, who played in the Prospects Game earlier in the day, picked up his third assist of the night. With 8:16 left to play, Dylan Dupuis got his second of the night, a powerplay goal to give the Flags their seventh win of the year.
“We took a bad penalty and we made some bad pinches,” said Hunter.
Once again Amherstburg outshot their opponent, this time 43-36. Dominic DeZorzi got the start in net, turning away 31 shots for the visitors while at the other end, Jack Breault got the win for the Flags.
It’s a busy week ahead for the Admirals. After Thursday’s game versus the Wild, Amherstburg has back-to-back home games this weekend at the Libro Centre. Dresden comes to town for a 7:30 p.m. start Saturday. The Admirals have a 6:30 p.m. Sunday against the Wheatley Sharks.
“I think we play better when we have a lot of games,” said Hunter. “Hopefully they get back into it after three straight losses.”
It’s the first game back in Amherstburg for former Admirals standouts Stefan Jacobs, Braeden Armstrong and Owen Papulkas who are now with the Sharks.
SLAPSHOTS:…At the Prospect Game in in North Middlesex Saturday, Amherstburg goalie Russell Vaughan made 24 saves…Veterans Jadyn Brown, Finn Russett and Dallas Kelly helped out at a recent minor hockey practice in town.
Admirals fall short again vs. Mooretown Flags
By Fred Groves
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