Gladstone Lakers closing in on THHL title
- Details
- Published on Thursday, March 26, 2015
By Eoin Devereux
The Neepawa Banner
The Gladstone Lakers are a win away from being the Tiger Hills Hockey League champions. Heading into game four of the best of five series against the Deloraine Royals, the Lakers are holding on to a two game to one series lead.
Gladstone took control of the series early, with a 4-2 win over the Royals on Wednesday, Mar. 18, in front of around 250 fans that packed the Gladstone and District Arena.
The evening started with the Royals generating the first goal of the game, as Jason Swyripa scored 12:21 into the opening period. Gladstone Kris Benson replied late in the first, to make the score 1-1 after 20 minutes.
The Lakers took over in the second, controlling the tempo of play and scoring a pair, with Tanner Waldvogal and Jesse Toth each generating goals. In the final frame, Swyripa scored his second of the night for the Royals with just under seven minutes remaining to bring Deloraine within a single goal. Sean Kubas was able to seal the victory for Gladstone with a power play goal with less than two minutes to go.
Game two of the best of five final was played on Friday, Mar. 20 in Gladstone and would see the Royals bounce back with a hard earned 3-2 victory.
The first goal of the evening was not secured until five minutes into the second period, when Mitch Olson scored for the Royals. Deloraine would hold on to that one goal cushion until three minutes into the third, when Brett Morrison notched another for the Royals, to make it 2-0. Gladstone quickly replied, as Sean Kubas tallied on a power play just 47 seconds after the Deloraine marker.
Jason Swyripa restored the two goal lead at 14:20, with assists from Joel Whiteside and Ryan Marsh. The Lakers would once again cut the lead to a single goal, as Devon Smith scored late in the period. It was not enough however, as the Royals would return home to Deloraine with the series tied at 1-1.
Game three was played on Sunday, Mar. 22, and would see the Gladstone take back the home advantage with a decisive 6-2 triumph.
The scoring was done by committee for the Lakers, as there were six different names attached to the scoresheet. Devon Smith, Dan Leslie, Tanner Waldvogel, Blaine Jarvis, Sean Kubas and Landon Thomson each contributed a goal for the win. Ryan Adams and Kelsey Sunaert each notched singles on the losing end for the Royals.
The fourth and potentially deciding game is scheduled for Friday, Mar. 27 in Deloraine at 8:30 pm.
Game five of the championship series, if needed is scheduled to be played on Saturday. Mar. 28 at the Gladstone and District Arena. Opening faceoff is set for 8:00 pm.
