Lakefield Herald Special Report

First place a mere two points away for Chiefs

by Jim Carson

After 38 games of a 40 game schedule, first place has come down to the Chiefs last two games.

Trailing the first place Uxbridge Bruins by just two points Lakefield will travel to Uxbridge Friday night and with a win and at least a point in the final game against Clarington Tuesday would give the Chiefs first place and home ice advantage throughout the playoffs.

Just ten days ago Lakefield trailed the Bruins by seven points but a five game win streak have given them this opportunity with two games left. Uxbridge has their only game remaining Friday.

The Chiefs winning streak continued in a big way Friday in Georgina with Jesse Gregory having his biggest night with the Chiefs scoring twice and adding three assists as Lakefield defeated the Ice 10-2.

Captain Nathan Larson continued his on ice leadership adding a goal and one assist. Matt Perras and Jordan Walsh had two each with singles to Eric Oosting and Curtis Bolton. Dustin Cook got the win in goal stopping 18 shots.

On Sunday in Port Perry it was Derek Manley’s turn to lead the offense scoring once and adding three assists as the Chiefs defeated the MoJacks 4-1. Larson, Walsh and Riley Campbell added singles with Zac Wainman blocking 33 Port Perry shots.

At home Tuesday, Lakefield had to claw back from a 3-1 deficit to beat Port Perry 5-4 in a shoot-out. Port Perry tied the game 4-4 with three minutes left in the game to send it to overtime.

There was no scoring in the five minute extra period and the Chiefs needed goals from Jesse Gregory and Derek Manley to keep Lakefields drive for first place alive. Gregory and Manley also had regulation time goals as did Larson and Saunders.

The top four positions in the standings have not been set as Port Perry trails Clarington by one point and will face each other on Sunday.

Lakefield was dealt a bad blow when at the end of regulation time Travis Brault received a match penalty for kicking and will receive at least a four game suspension.

All match penalties are reviewed by the league and Brault could face further games.

According to Head Coach Tim McCormick, Brault explained that he was being punched in a scrum and someone had hold of his leg and was trying to get free. Coach McCormick said he would be surprised if his player would receive more games because of Braults clean suspension record and there was no injury.

The Chiefs were without defenceman Ryan Anderson and Curtis Bolton on Sunday along with forward Stephen Woodbeck.

Both Anderson and Bolton are expected back in the lineup Friday in Uxbridge.

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