Nov 08, 2015 | Ryan Allaer | 949 views
Novice Rep Lakers Tournament Action
The Wallaceburg Novice Rep Lakers took to the road for the weekend and participated in the Bill Batten Memorial Tournament in South Huron. The weekend was full of ups and downs that ultimately saw the Lakers bow out in the Semi-Finals.
Friday November 6
Game 1
The early Friday morning start had the Wallaceburg Novice Rep Lakers squaring off against the Kincardine Kinucks. The Kinucks put the first goal on the board, but inadvertently woke up the Lakers defense. The Wallaceburg defence shut down Kincardine's best for the remainder of the game and set the stage for a comeback win for the Lakers. Adam Trella scored a natural hat trick, with helpers from Nash Jacobs, Kiigs Shognosh, and Cole Allaer. Brock Lane stood tall in goal, Shognosh was awarded MVP and Hunter Jacobs earned Player of the Game as the Lakers cruised to a 3-1 victory to kick off the tourney.
Game 2
Later that evening Wallaceburg faced off against nemesis Lambeth Lancers. The Lakers were down by 2 goals early and headed into the 2nd frame with their backs against the wall. However the second period was all Lakers! Adam Trella got things going with an unassisted goal, then added two more with the help of Hunter and Nash Jacobs. Nash then took matters into his own hands and scored an unassisted goal too. Blake Lethbridge and Nash Jacobs assisted the up and coming Justin "Sniper" Schepens for his first goal of the season. The game was far from over, as a very hardworking Lambeth squad was poised for a miraculous come back in the third period.. Adam Trella scored again, but the Lancers scored 3 goals in the last four minutes with the winner coming at 1:02 and stole the game with a 7-6 win over the Lakers in dramatic fashion. Justin Snipens was awarded MVP and Cole Allaer took home Player of the Game honours.
Saturday November 7
Game 3 Quarter Finals
Wallaceburg's third game was against tournament hosts South Huron Sabres and both the visiting and hometown crowd got their monies worth. Despite coming off a tough loss the day before, and falling to the Sabres 4-3 in earlier season league play, the Lakers were ready to redeem themselves. Adam Trella scored twice and Nash Jacobs scored one in regulation. It was a back and forth battle that lead the teams into 3 on 3 overtime tied at three a piece, but with Blake Lethbridge in the box Lambeth had an extra man for the start of the OT. Brock Lane held the Lakers in the game while the fans were on the edge of their seats. With 3:15 left in the extra frame, Adam Trella potted his third of the game to win the match and give him his third hat trick of the Tournament. Trella was the game's MVP and Logan Cornish was selected as player of the game.
Sunday November 8
Game 4 Semi Finals
Semi Final action had Wallaceburg up against the Lambeth Lancers once again. Cole Allaer started off the scoring after redirecting a beautiful feed from Arionna Hopkins. The Lancers were able to tie it up, but Adam Trella responded with a goal that was a result of a play setup by Kiigs Shognosh and an assist from Nash Jacobs. The Lakers couldn't manage to hang on as a very talented and determined group of Lambeth Lancers pulled together to take the game 7-2. Arionna Hopkins was the MVP for her extremely hard work, and Brock Lane was chosen as player of the game for contending with an offense that was in full stride throughout the game.
The Lambeth Lancers won the championship game later in the day against the Niagara-on-the-Lake Wolves. The Wallaceburg Novice Rep Lakers can hold their heads high knowing they played a great tournament against great teams. They get an opportunity for retribution on Tuesday when they travel to Lambeth to challenge the first place team in league play.