Flyers battle Nationals, eventually earning key point and moving into first place

Nationals. Both teams have been fighting tooth and nail, with the Flyers sneaking out several wins against the Nationals.

They were to begin the week of play on Wednesday, traveling to London. Out of safety concerns and caution due to the inclement weather experienced across southwestern Ontario, the GOJHL decided to postpone the game. It will be made up at a date yet to be determined.

tournament, including the MacPherson twins and Hayden Reid.

The game showcased the depth and goaltending both teams carry.

Nationals the lead with one-minute remaining.

by Garrett Fodor

January had not been easy on the Leamington Flyers, with several key matchups against strong competition.

Last week was no different, as Leamington had a pair of contests against the London

Just 24-hours later, the pair of teams did meet, this time in Leamington. Weather did not play a role, but both teams were without several key pieces. London was missing several due to suspension, as well as a pair of Nationals being named to the GOJHL’s under-18 Team in the MacPherson tournament.

The Flyers sent a trio of their own to the

Through the first 20-minutes, both teams started out cautiously. Neither team looked to make the first mistake. Eventually, the Flyers took control of the puck, spending time in the offensive zone and testing goaltender, Joe Ranger, who was recently acquired from the OHL. Just when the Nationals thought they’d escape the period unscathed, the Flyers broke through.

Cody Brekke scored with two-minutes left, earning the lone goal in the period.

During the second period, the Nationals were quick to show pace and capitalize on their powerplay chances. With a pair of chances in the period, they did make the Flyers pay. Eight-minutes into the second, Lucas Carson beat Bryce Walcarius. Closing out the period, Michael Kopcok gave the

Through 40-minutes, the Nationals held a 2-1 lead, while shots were slightly in Leamington’s favour, 26-24.

Coming out of the intermission, the Flyers were looking to respond and draw-even in the game. Their relentless pressure and chances caused havoc on the Nationals, forcing Ranger to stand tall and the squad to take several penalties in an attempt to save chances.

With seven-minutes remaining, the Flyers earned an extended 5-on3 power-play, and later 5-on-4 power-play, as a pair of Nationals were whistled for tripping, in addition to a fiveminute major for kicking. Nearing expiration of the power-play and game time, the Flyers pulled Walcarius and found a loose puck. Brekke found it and with time and space roofed it, tying the game and bringing the nearly 1,000 people to their feet.

With the game tied at two, it proceeded to a seven-minute sudden death 3-on-3 overtime period. With chances being exchanged in the early going, the Flyers forced a turnover and took it the other way. On a 1-on3, Anthony Ciaramitaro fired it on net, looking for a whistle. Instead, he found a rebound offered by Ranger, with all three Nationals curling the opposite way from the puck. Ciaramitaro picked up his own rebound from the blueline, walked in and roofed it, sending the Flyers over the bench, and the fans to their feet. This sealed the 3-2 win, and moved the Flyers into first place.

Elsewhere, over the weekend at the MacPherson Tournament, hosted by St. Andrew’s College, the under-18 GOJHL team captained by Ryan MacPherson prevailed, earning the gold among the other teams.