DUNLOPS LOSE CHANCE TO TIE FOR FIRST - LOSE 5-3
By: Ian Young, Whitby Dunlops
Fighting for their playoff lives, the Brantford Blast came in to Iroquois Park Arena on Saturday night and defeated the Dunlops by a score of 5-3. Buoyed by a hat trick from Derek Medeiros (3G,1A) and a three point effort from Joel Prpic (1G,2A), the Blast were full credit for their win which kept their playoff hopes alive, while denying the Dunlops an opportunity to tie for the League lead with Stoney Creek.
In the first period, Dunnies’ Brett McConnachie took a beautiful pass from Matt Baxter and broke in on a breakaway to deke Blast goaltender Tyler Lewis and give Whitby a 1-0 lead. Brantford's Derek Medeiros potted a nifty wrist shot on a screened Dunlop goalie Jason Guy to tie things up at 1-1 by period end. The Dunnies held a slight edge in play over the first 20 minutes, with Lewis and Guy making great saves to keep it at ones.
In the second, both squads potted a goal with Kyle McLaughlin netting a high wrist shot over the right shoulder of Lewis to give the Dunlops a 2-1 lead. Play went back and forth until Medeiros took a pass from Prpic, and scooted behind the net for a wraparound goal that had to be extremely accurate to beat Jason Guy who had the paddle down and covered most of the net. Both teams played hard hockey, with the Blast displaying a bit more purpose and fine positioning away from the puck to thwart many a Dunlop rush while producing some excellent transitional challenges. Period ended at 2-2.
The third period should have produced a Whitby charge, but the Dunlops couldn't produce much offensively, and the Blast began their domination. Medeiros' third goal of the night, Joel Prpic's first and an additional tally from Paul McIlveen gave the Blast three straight counters to move them ahead of a startled Dunlop crew to the tune of 5-2. The Blast proceeded to thwart the Dunnies offence the rest of the way, with a beautiful deflection goal by Lucas Labelle late in the game the only one surrendered, bringing the score to 5-3. Despite pulling their goaltender for the last minute and half, the Dunlops couldn't get unraveled, settling for the final at 5-3.
The Dunlops’ play was lethargic at times, and as the game progressed did not improve. Brantford was full measure for their victory. As a result, the Blast are still in the playoff hunt, while the Dunnies squandered a chance to move into a tie for first place with Stoney Creek. Final shots on goal were 34-33 in favour of Brantford.
The make-up game resulting from the postponed Friday night tilt in Brantford is still under discussion with the League. Please watch our web site for details of a make-up when available.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
FULL GAME VIDEO
