Saturday,
February
23 @
Strathroy
Blast
Win
in
Strathroy
Again.
Lead
Series
2-1
Final
Score:
Strathroy
-
2
Sarnia
- 3
by
Deb
Lawrence
In goal for Strathroy was Ben Thomas and between the pipes for the Blast WIN was John Faulkner. It was a well attended game with 633 listed as the attendance.
1st Period: Sarnia came out of the gate flying with speed and throwing hits every chance they got. It paid dividends early with a Derek VanVeller goal just 3:42 into the period. Picking up assists were Matt Abercrombie and Jordan Black - an AP junior. It began with some hard work by Black who carried the puck into the zone lost then reacquired possession of the puck, keeping it in the Rockets end. The Blast took a two goal lead 58 seconds later on a Tyler Peters goal and picking up an assist was Tyler Cicchini. Strathroy used a time out to try and settle the team down and then the faceoff took place at center ice. Derek VanVeller of the Blast was called for high sticking at the 7:21 mark and most of the play took place in Strathroy's end. It was a great penalty kill by Sarnia. A cross checking penalty was taken by Strathroy's Andrew Secco at the 12:134 mark. It took all of 17 seconds before Tyler Lewis potted the third Sarnia goal this period. Assisting on the goal were Matt Abercrombie and Josh Cornelissen. Shots on goal: Strathroy - 13 Sarnia - 8. Strathroy was 0 for 1 with the man advantage and Sarnia was 1 for 1 on the power play this period.
2nd Period: It was a penalty filled period with plenty of scoring chances for both teams but nothing went past either tender. Sarnia made a bad line change at 13:59 and were called for too many men. Serving the penalty was Adam Steadman. During the penalty kill, Faulkner lost his stick for a short while but was able to retrieve it when his teammates cleared the puck closer to Sarnia's blue line. The Rockets got to enjoy a two man advantage when Sarnia's Clark MacPherson went off at 15:30 for high sticking. Roughing was the call at 16:26 that gave a two minute time out to Kraig Wright of Strathroy. With 17 seconds remaining in the period, Sarnia's Clark MacPherson was given a minor for checking from behind along with a game misconduct. Shots on goal: Strathroy - 15/28 Sarnia - 9/17.
3rd Period: The Rockets got on the scoreboard with a power play goal 43 seconds into the period as a result of the MacPherson penalty at the end of the second period. Scoring it was Tyler Carroll from Dan Grant and Jared Anger. Treks to the sin bin began with an elbowing call at 6:21 and continued until the very end of the game. A roughing minor at 9:17 sent Sarnia's Josh Cornelissen to the penalty box and during this penalty Sarnia's Craig Rainsberry led a short-handed rush, passing the puck to Wayd Pitfield whose shot was stopped. Play was stopped after this rush as a holding penalty was taken by Dan Grant of the Rockets at the 11:16 mark. Sarnia found themselves with 1:32 of a two man advantage when Strathroy's Eric Beauchamp was given a two minute minor for checking from behind, and a game misconduct. A slashing call at 17:20 put Sarnia's Owen Rogers in the penalty box and Strathroy struck for another power play goal just eight seconds later. Scoring the goal was Tyler Carroll from Jason Furlong and Shaun Furlong. Sarnia took another penalty late in the period putting the Rockets on the power play yet again. Going off for high sticking was Tyler Lewis of the Blast. Most of these penalties were taken in Strathroy's end as Sarnia kept dumping the puck our of their end but too often it ended up as icing. The faceoff was just outside Sarnia's blue line and once the Rockets had possession of the puck deep in Sarnia's end, the Rockets pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker giving Strathroy 6 skaters to Sarnia's 4. The Rockets pressed for the equalizer and as a result another pair of penalties were taken. With 7.6 seconds remaining, making their way to the sin bin were Strathroy's Joey Beauchamp (roughing) and Sarnia's Brent Andriash (cross checking). As Blast fans waited with bated breath and the faceoff deep in Sarnia's end again, the seconds finally ticked off and the celebration of the win began, almost. First, there was one more penalty called as the play finished - a 10 minute misconduct for inciting an opponent to Sarnia's Tyler Lewis. Then the officials made sure that the Strathroy players went to their dressing room so that nothing further took place between the two teams. Finally, the Blast players were permitted to leave the bench, surrounding Faulkner and congratulating each other. As they skated off to their dressing room they were showered with the loud applause and appreciation of the Blast fans who had made the trek. Shots on goal: Strathroy - 11/39 Sarnia - 4/21. Strathroy was 2 for 3 with the man advantage this period and were 2 for 9 in the game. Sarnia was 0 for 3 on the power play this period and were 1 for 7 in the game.
The Blast now lead the series 2 games to 1.
Sarnia's next game is on Sunday, February 24th with a 7:30 puck drop. Drop by the arena early as there is another tail gate party beginning at 6:00 p.m. featuring grilled burgers and a cold drink. Meet other Blast fans while supporting the team. Come to the arena with your noise makers and cheer on the BOYZ.
Game five will take place in Strathroy on Tuesday the 26th and it is also a 7:30 start. It's a short 45 minute trip so join the many already attending and get ready to be NOISY - just not with air horns.
Go Blast Go!
