The Amherstburg Admirals will have to wait a bit longer to get their 16th win.
The Admirals got off to another slow start Sunday night at the Libro Centre and despite coming back hard later in the game, fell 3-2 to the defending Schmalz Cup champions, Lakeshore Canadiens.
Combined with losses to Essex and Blenheim, the Admirals are tied for fourth in the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s Stobbs Division (Jr. C) at 15-15-1-0.
“It’s a work in progress but we are getting there,” said Amherstburg head coach Zack Gervais.
Lakeshore went up 3-0 in the first period as captain Marco Sladoje scored twice and set up the other which came from sensational rookie Nicholas Rosati.
Regrouping after the first break, the hosts got a powerplay marker thanks to a great shot by blueliner Jake Goudreault. Amherstburg pulled to within one in the third as Charlie Coristine connected.
The Admirals had five man-advantage opportunities to tie it but came up short each time.
“It’s something we are going to work on. We are stuck in a rut. They (Lakeshore) don’t give you a lot, there’s not much to do in the neutral zone,” said Gervais.
A couple of noteworthy plays by the Admirals late in the game included a diving play by Brady Drouillard in the offensive end and at the other end, defenceman Cooper Bulmer sprawled on the ice to break up a two-on-one.
“He’s a great skater,” said Gervais of Bulmer. “He learns a lot from his brother Jack. He’s a smart player.”
Against the Blades Saturday night, the visitors came out flying and were up 2-0 just 5:29 into the game. Amherstburg found themselves on the short end 3-0 after 20 minutes.
“It’s those little mistakes that are catching us early and they have to wake up,” said Gervais.
After replacing starting goalie Russell Vaughan with Dominic DeZorzi and calling a time out to regroup, the Admirals were the better of the two teams for the rest of the night. A beauty of a shorthanded tally by second-year centre Dallas Kelly made it 3-1 at the end of the second. Goals by rookies Cory Leach and Rory Sandison tied it in the third.
Blenheim got the winner late and were led by Cameron Graham with two goals and a pair of assists while his brother Colton had a goal and two helpers. They recently came over from the Chatham Maroons.
In Essex Jan. 7, it was all the 73’s as they hammered the Admirals 9-0.
There are no home games at the Libro Centre this weekend for Amherstburg as they travel to Dresden Friday night to face the Kings and Saturday afternoon are at Walpole Island.
SLAPSHOTS: The Admirals continued to tinker with their roster, recently bringing back forward Charlie Coristine who suited up for Amherstburg last year and this season was with Little Britian Merchants. Also added is defenceman Ryan Clark, who comes over from LaSalle and is the brother of former Admiral Andrew Clark… Released are forwards Logan Price and blueliner Maxton Evans.
Late starts hurt Admirals, drop three straight games
By Fred Groves
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