Alliance Playoffs
Lambton vs Kitchener

The Jr Sting Minor Atoms opened the Alliance playoff championship series on Saturday in what may be the coldest arena in the world against the Kitchener Jr Rangers. Despite numerous powerplay opportunities the Lambton squad couldn't find their wheels and fell in the opening contest by a final score of 4-2.

After the Jr Rangers scoring late in the first period there were no further goals until the eleven minute mark of the third period when Franco Sproveiro would bury one to tie things at one. Assisting on the marker was Bert Thorpe. Teams would trade goals over the next four minutes with Colin Leyton, from Vaughan DeGurse tying things up with just over seven minutes to play. The Jr Sting couldn't seem to buy a break and would allow two more markers, including an empty netter to take the loss. Sting hardhat for the game went to Jack Johnston for his intensity and hustle throughout the game and Tyler Armitage put in a solid effort in the net to keep things close.

The Jr Sting would welcome the Jr Rangers back to the SSEC the following day and in another tight checking affair would avenge the opening game loss with a dramatic home ice victory. Final score was 2-1. 

The Lambton squad would find the scoresheet first with Jack Dunn capitalizing on a generous rebound created by a nice pass from Bert Thorpe and solid shot by Franco Sproveiro late in the first period. The Jr Rangers would tie things up at one late in the second period and despite chances at both ends of the rink that is how things would remain until late in the third period. With time running out and both teams already utilizing their timeouts the Sting would apply some pressure in the Kitchener zone, when a puck squirted free to Brock Perry who capitalized on his chance to secure the victory. Official time of the goal came with 4 tenths of a second remaining in the game with the assist being awarded to Morgan Halcovitch. Sting Hardhat for the game was awarded to Jake Wilkins for his excellent play in the net and the boys will look for a better outcome in their return to Kitchener next Saturday.