A 10-1 loss to Lions Head would not normally be used to demonstrate what is best in a team but that’s exactly what happened with Walkerton’s Power Workers Local League Bantams. Despite the game getting out of reach early on, Walkerton kept playing hard to the final moment. Even more impressive though was the way the team keep their cool throughout the game. And that cool followed Walkerton to a home and away series against a hard playing Durham team.
The first game saw Walkerton traveling to Durham to start the back to back games. Bryce M started off the scoring at the 3:26 mark, with what is now becoming his patented hard digging, by slamming home a Brayden D rebound. After some exciting end to end play and great saves by both goalies Durham managed to slip one past Walkerton to tie the game at the end of the first period.
After some tight play, Tyler G stole the puck behind the net and netted a wrap around, unassisted power play goal. For the next 9 minutes the goalies took over again with some impressive netminding at both ends and some big game stops in particular by Walkerton’s Reed L. But as the period ended Durham stepped up and tied the game.
Walkerton came out of the dressing room ready to play in the third, but so too did Durham. The game remained tied until the 10 minute mark when Isaac E shovelled a goalmouth scramble into the net with big assists by Tyler P and Stephen P. A few minutes later Matt L went in alone and scored a highlight reel goal. From there the game got chippy, but Walkerton kept their cool and just played well. Durham got close, but in the end Walkerton left the ice with a 4-3 win.
The next day Durham came to town looking for a bit of redemption. After a back and forth 1st period Durham managed to slip a goal in late in the period. Durham held that lead until late in the 2nd when Brayden D, after a great initial and second effort, broke in alone and tied the game while be pressured by the Durham defence.
The third period saw a lot of offensive action with Matt M feeding sharpshooter Tyler G who made a no question shot into the back of the net. Taking a pass from Brayden D, Tyler G was at it again a few moments later while attempting a cross-crease pass to Bryce M who was waiting on the doorstep in his favourite spot that bounced into the net on the way for his second goal of the game. Walkerton wasn’t done yet though with a great insurance goal by Luke Z. He took a perfect face off feed from Tyler P and sent a point shot boomer into the net. With that Walkerton came out ahead 4-1 to sweep the home and away series.
Strong performances were put in by a number of Walkerton players. A.P. Mac M who was asked to carry the load early in the first after injury, helped out in an important way. Bryce M continued to set the standard for hustle, position play and forechecking. And Stephen P was asked to hold the blueline on defence and did a great job. Goaltender Reed L stood tall in a spirited edgy game and recorded his 2nd win in a row. All around a couple of great Walkerton performances that had their start in a hard loss.