Jan 21, 2014 | vmighton | 876 views
Bantams solid in 4th with 2 games left in Regular Season
The Saugeen Maitland Bantam AA's are sitting in 4th place with 2 games left in the regular season, after a win and a tie with Waterloo on the weekend.
On Saturday, the Bantams beat Waterloo in Howick by a 2 - 1 score. Waterloo would get the first goal less than 2 minutes into the 2nd, before Jenelle Smeltzer would start the scoring for SML at the 7:52 mark of the 2nd period, with Jocelyn Ballantyne and Kara Colhoun getting the helpers. The 2nd period would end with a deadlock at 1.
Strong defence and great goaltending by SML would frustrate Waterloo in the 3rd, and allow for opportunity for the Lightning. Aleya Murray would break the tie 1/2 way through the 3rd, and that score would hold for the game winner. Natalie Gallagher and Smeltzer got the assists. The won moved the Lightning into sole possession of 4th place in their loop, 2 point ahead of Waterloo.
On Sunday, the Lightning would make the return trip to Waterloo, and a must win in order to hang on to 4th place. The game would prove to be a frustrating one, with moments of glory, but not enough to take the win, the Bantams would have to settle for a 2 - 2 tie. Madison Davey would start things off with a pretty goal, assisted by Kailee Hewitt, but just 20 seconds later, Waterloo would respond with the tying goal of their own. The teams would battle hard, but without success for the remainder of the 2nd.
SML would again take the lead at the 10 minute mark of the 3rd, with Morgan Murray finding the mesh on a pass from Natalie Gallagher, and it looked like victory would be ours, but with less than 5 minutes left, Waterloo would capitalize and once again tie the game. That would remain the score, with each team earning a point.
The tie was enough to hold Waterloo at bay, and with just 2 games left in the regular season, and one more meeting with this rival team, the Bantams need to continue to win to hold on to 4th spot and home ice advantage going into the 1st playoff round.
Next home action for the Bantams will be Sunday, January 26th as they finish off the season with a 1:30 start vs Waterloo after going to Kitchener on Saturday, January 25th for a 2 pm game. If you want to see some great hockey action, Howick is the place to be this Sunday!