NEWS

(pictured - OJHL Playoff MVP Kevin Shier was all over the ice to kick-off the 2014 Dudley-Hewitt Cup, potting a pair of goals in a 4-1 victory over the Fort Frances Lakers - photo credit: Shawn Muir/OJHL Images)

Story by Jamie Neugebauer - Toronto Lakeshore Patriots

Kevin Shier scored twice and Michael Prapavessis notched a magnificent winner at 12:35 of the second period as the Toronto Patriots grabbed Game one of the Dudley-Hewitt Cup round robin with a 4-1 victory over the Superior International Junior Hockey League champion Fort Frances Lakers Tuesday.

Nathan Feric led the way offensively with three assists while Evan Buitenhuis was sharp when called upon, making 27 saves in the fourth straight contest that he had given up only one goal.

Patriots’ head coach Jason Fortier was happy with the win, but knew his club had to be better moving forward.

“We didn’t play our best but I thought we were still pretty good,” he said.

“We controlled the play down low but I don’t think we were crisp.  There was a layoff and that is going to happen; it’s a big stage, and guys are nervous, but hopefully we can keep getting better every game.”

Shier opened the scoring 18:32 into the first period, moments after hitting the cross bar, when he batted a rebound off a shot from Feric out of mid-air past Fort Frances net minder Jordan Cartney.

Prapavessis’ winner then came at the 12:35-mark of the second period after he deftly picked a puck up centre ice, dipped in on a two-on-one and rounded Cartney before picking the top right corner of the net.

Brent Aiken got one back for the Lakers with just under two minutes remaining in the middle frame on the power play, but Shier’s second at 14:15 of the third period sealed the outcome when he patiently outwaited Cartney and wired a wrister from point-blank range.

The goal came a mere 20 seconds after the Pats’ coaching staff had called a time out with the Lakers pressing.

“Truthfully we just talked about getting back to the dirty areas,” Fortier said, “playing from the wall and using our speed and taking our opportunities to the net instead of staying perimeter and it worked out.”

Doug Bonar tapped into a gaping cage to finish the scoring with two minutes left in regulation.

Toronto will be back in action Wednesday afternoon when it takes on the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League champion Kirkland Lake Gold Miners, puck drops at 2:30 p.m.

“Every day we’re trying to get better,” Forter said, “so if we do that we’ll see what happens.”

For the full game summary, please CLICK HERE.