FIRST PLACE ELUDES DUNLOPS - LOSE 6-4 TO STONEY CREEK
By: Ian Young, Whitby Dunlops
The Whitby Dunlops needed a win on Saturday night against the Stoney Creek Generals to give them a shot at first place over the Generals. A win plus a win Sunday against Brantford would have given the Dunnies the edge, but it was not meant to be (the rescheduled game in Brantford on Sunday was cancelled as a result). The contest will go down as a tough, physical game with neither team giving an inch, and the competitiveness from each team was nothing short of spectacular.
Stoney Creek started the game fast with 3 first period goals to give them an early 3-0 lead by the 11:15 mark. Cam Fergus provided 5 assists on the night, a night where the Dunlops never had a lead. Two goals by Cody Thornton and a single by Jarrett Konkle lead the way in the period but this seemed to energize the Whitby squad and by period end Darren Doherty wristed one behind a screened goalie Dave Brown to bring the Dunlops to within 2 at 3-1.
The second period play was an even affair, with both sides having chances with Brown and Whitby's Mathieu Cadieux making the saves to keep the contest close. Whitby's Kyle Ventura was tripped at centre ice at the 15 minute mark, forcing a penalty shot situation. Ventura potted one on a tremendous deke that forced Brown one way while Ventura went the other way and slipped the puck in an open net. Game on! By the end of the second period Stoney Creek held onto a 3-2 lead, setting the stage for a powerful, energetic third period.
Chris Hulit potted a low, screened wrist shot by the 7 minute mark of the final frame to put the Creek up by two at 4-2. The Dunlops wouldn't give in and two hard wrist shots by Ventura and Kyle McLaughlin tied the game at 4's with 5 minutes remaining to set up an exciting finish but Jarrett Konkle netted his second of the game at the 15:25 mark to bring the score to 5-4 in Stoney Creek's favour. In an effort to tie the game, Whitby coach Shane Bowler pulled goaltender Cadieux for an extra attacker with 3 minutes remaining but Nathan Pageau harnessed a loose puck and slipped it by the Dunnie defence to give him a breakaway goal. Final score 6-4 Stoney Creek. Full credit to the Dunlops for an inspired effort.
The Dunlops now open the semifinal series against the Hamilton Steelhawks this Wednesday, February 28 at Iroquois Park Arena at 8:00 p.m.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
FULL GAME VIDEO
