Mitch Calvert
The Fort Frances Lakers aren’t in the SIJHL’s basement yet, but will need to buy into the program quickly to avoid the “cellar-dweller” label.
The Lakers headed into a clash with the Sioux Lookout Flyers (2-3) last night sporting a 1-3 record—tied for last in the SIJHL standings with the K&A Wolverines (1-4).
The local squad showed all the elements of an inexperienced team in a 6-3 loss to the Dryden Ice Dogs before 535 paying customers at the Ice For Kids Arena here Friday night.
They laid an egg in the first period—falling behind 2-0 before the period was half over and went into the second trailing 3-1.
However, a pair of goals by captain Colton Kennedy accounted for all the scoring in the middle frame as the Lakers sent the game to the third tied at 3-3.
Kennedy’s first goal was of the highlight-reel variety. After picking off a clearing pass by Dryden’s Jon Mitchell in the neutral zone, Kennedy skated in alone and unleashed a shot off the far post and in past Ice Dogs’ goalie Curtis Barker.
His second of the period was anything but highlight material as his shot from just inside the blueline ricocheted off the end boards and back into the crease before bouncing off the back of Barker’s skate and into the net.
The valiant comeback went for naught, however, as the Lakers were dominated in all facets of the game over the final 20 minutes.
“You can’t play 20 minutes of hockey and expect to win at this level,” Lakers’ head coach Wayne Strachan stressed.
“In the first, we watched them work, move the puck, and skate all over us.
“The second period we played good hockey, worked hard, competed, and capitalized on our chances,” Strachan added.
“We played simple hockey, were smart in our own end, got the puck out, got the puck deep in their end, and forced hard to create turnovers.
“We worked hard to get back in the game and should’ve been flying for the third period,” he continued. “[But in] the third, we went back to sleep, let them do whatever they wanted, and didn’t help one another out.
“And our goaltending wasn’t up to par in the period either; some very weak goals went in,” Strachan lamented.
Garrett Nystedt and Kevin Burton had two goals apiece for the Ice Dogs, who improved to 2-0 on the season.
Matthew Caulfield and Kyle Heck added singles while Brendan Muise had the only other goal for the Lakers.
Zac McMichael allowed six goals on 37 shots to take the loss while Barker earned the victory.
Strachan said some players need to start getting with the program if they expect to compete at this level.
“We talk about game plans and systems, but we have players that are not comprehending them and definitely not showing anything on the ice to help their cause,” he remarked.
“We have defence pinching in wrong situations in our own end, [and] we don’t know how to play our positions in our system or cover our men,” he added. “Basic things that are taught at the Atom ‘AA’ level.
“We have players that need to buy into our staff’s systems,” Strachan stressed. “[They need to] realize wherever they have played, that we may play different and they have to learn our game fast.
“We have players that can’t accept criticism or help; they think they know it all,” he noted. “We have players that think they are better than they really are.
“We need to realize we are a team that is building, and we have a lot of them because they couldn’t make other junior teams.
“If we had all our returning players from last season, there would only be about two or three of these players in our lineup right now,” he remarked.
“This team needs to come together, learn the game, and become Junior ‘A’ players,” Strachan insisted. “Our captain, Colton Kennedy, has more games played in Junior ‘A’ than the entire team put together.
“We do not compete like we want to win; we look scared all the time,” he admitted. “When your two shortest and lightest players are your most aggressive players [Irv Lockman and Jordan Sinclair], you’re in trouble right from the get-go.”
Sinclair actually will be lost from the team for an indefinite period as he awaits tests on a heart issue.
In other news, the Lakers hosted their first-annual Lakers Golf Classic on Saturday, attracting 60 golfers.
The foursome of Mike Sinclair, Brendan Sinclair, Greg Ward, and Dylan Mainville won by carding a score of 15-under while Bob, Fred, Ray, and Robbie Crowe claimed second (15-under) after losing a tie-breaking coin toss.
“The Lakers would like to thank all the teams and people that participated,” Strachan said. “We are thankful of their support.”
