by Garrett Fodor
After a week off, the Essex 73’s hockey club was looking to rebound from last week’s loss when it hosted the Mooretown Flags on November 26.
In the early minutes of the first period, both teams showed their elusiveness as they exchanged quick rushes and passes going one end to the other. But, it was Essex that capitalized first and opened the scoring when Captain, Riley Meyerink, put a wrist shot by Flags’ goalie, Jake Wilkins.
The Flags, however, responded just two-minutes later, when Brodie Conlon snuck in behind the 73’s defense and beat goalie, Connor Meyerink. After one period of play, the score was 1-1.
In period two, the teams continued to exchange chances and physical play. The teams combined for 51 minutes of penalties in the middle frame, which left plenty of skating room. It was Essex that broke the deadlock again, as Josh Pope-Ferguson beat Wilkins with the man-advantage. But the lead lasted just 59 seconds as the Flags had an answer. The teams skated into the intermission tied at two. And the shots were nearly identical, 17-16, in favour of Essex.
In the third period, the Flags opened the scoring as Mooretown’s newest player and familiar face in Essex, Dawson Winchester, beat Meyerink to give his team the lead. Despite firing 10 shots in the period, the 73’s fell 3-2 to the Flags.
The 73’s were off until November 29, when they traveled to Lakeshore and faced off their rival, the Canadiens.
From puck drop, the 73’s were tested and goalie, Connor Meyerink, stood on his head. In the opening period, the score remained at 0-0, despite the shots being 21-7 in favour of Lakeshore.
In the second period, however, the Canadiens’ offense cracked Meyerink and the 73’s defense. Luka Mesic opened the scoring six-minutes into the second period, and, four minutes later, their lead was doubled as Blake Bain banged home a rebound. This ended Meyerink’s night. He played just over 30-minutes and faced 28 shots. Jarrett Tazzman scored closing out the second period where the score remained 3-0 heading into the second intermission.
In the third and final frame, 73’s goalie Jax D’Hondt was beaten twice on seven shots. As the 73’s were unable to crack the first place Canadiens, they fell 5-0 and were outshot 41-13.