On Thursday November 14, the Atom Southwest Bullets hockey team (3-1-1), of the LM LL, played against the Strathroy Jr. Rockets Red (1-2-2) at home in Bothwell, and dominated for the second straight game, outshooting their opponent 45-4 on their way to a decisive 7-0 win.
SWB scored their first goal shortly off the face-off 2:49 into the first period when Ethan Keating (#6) backhanded a shot past the SRR goalie. William Lambrecht (#10) and Owen Dewild (#2) assisted on the play. After some hard work battling the SRR defence, the SWB team was rewarded with their second goal with 4:45 remaining in the period when Dylan Henry (#40) knocked in a rebound in front of the opposing goal with Morgan Hutson (#24) and Keating picking up assists. SWB outshot SRR 15-2 in the opening period for the 2-0 lead.
Braxton Haggith (#8) opened the scoring 2:07 into the second period to make it 3-0 for the only goal of the frame. This goal was unassisted. SWB outshot SRR 12-1 in this period and if not for the goaltending of the SRR net minder, the score could have been much higher. The SRR goaltender also got some added help from one of his two friends when Peter Katsoulakos (#16) hit the post on a wrist shot with 4:15 remaining in the period.
The third period continued with a barrage of shots by SWB on the SRR net minder as the opposing team was outshot 18-1 in this frame. SWB hemmed SRR in their own end for the first two minutes with Haggith drawing a tripping penalty 1:55 into the period. The SWB power play, however, was short-lived when Katsoulakos was sent off for body checking just 12 seconds later. The referee got this call wrong as Katsoulakos was nowhere near the play which caught the referee’s attention. The error was likely a mistaken of shirt number identification. No one scored during the ensuing sloppy 4 on 4 play and brief SRR power play which followed the “Katsoulakos” penalty. Shortly after the end of the two penalties, SWB scored 4:25 into the third period to make it 4-0 when Dewild scored with Henry and Keating assisting. Haggith then scored 2:09 seconds later to make it 5-0 when he skated out of the corner and slid a backhand shot along the ice past the short side of a sprawling SRR net minder. Sawyer Watson (#36) and Katsoulakos picked up assists on the play. With 4:10 remaining on the clock, Keating scored in close to make it 6-0 with Dewild and Hutson picking up assists. Haggith closed out the scoring for SWB with 3:57 remaining with Watson picking up the lone assist. The team did an excellent job protecting the lead in the third period giving Jacob Smith (#30), who had an easy night for a change, his first shut-out of the season. Owen King (#22) and Evan Demaiter (#26) also had strong games to preserve the shut-out.
The SWB team with a 4-1-1 record and 9 points continues to improve in all areas of the game. They currently sit fifth in their 13 team division. They have the second best goals against average in the division and the third best win percentage in the division. Come out and support your SWB team in their quest for hockey supremacy in their division class and be treated to some fine entertaining hockey. SWB plays their next two games on Thursday November 21 in Bothwell at 7: 30pm against the currently fourth place Strathroy Jr. Rockets Blue team (5-5-0) and on Sunday November 24 in Mt Brydges at 11:00am against the currently tenth place Mt. Brydges Cougars Red team (2-5-0).
Article By
Sam Katsoulakas