Power Workers Union Bantams charging through playoffs.
It seems Walkerton’s Power Worker’s Local League Bantams picked the right time to get hot and are peaking at the best time. With the home and away round robin series winding down, Walkerton has a realistic shot at making it into the Championship Series. It won’t be easy, but with a 6 game winning streak on the line the Walkerton players have found themselves in a position to control their own destiny. This was very much in evidence on Saturday, March 6th at their home game against Durham. After a 5-3 loss to Walkerton, the Durham team came with some payback on their mind.
Clearly on a mission to make up for their previous loss Durham started out strong and dominated play for most of the 1st period, taking the lead with 2:39 left to play. All year, win or lose, the Power Workers Union Bantams have had a never give up work ethic. That was very much in evidence with just seconds left on the clock when Austin H fed the puck to Liam R pinching hard into the Durham end. With time running out Liam shot the puck hard at the net. Waiting on the doorstep was Tyler G who deflected the puck up and over the Durham goalie and into the net, tying the game up with just a half second left on the clock.
Durham went into the 2nd determined to make up for the late goal. With just over 2 minutes gone in the second Durham took the lead once again. The amazing forechecking penalty killing play of Isaac E seemed to spark the Walkerton offense as they soon scored two quick goals to take the lead. After some great low end work by Matt L and Matt M the puck came to Ryan Y who threaded a sharp angle shot into the top shelf. Following a few minutes later Liam R rushed off the point around the back of the net passing the puck out to Isaac E. Picking up the Isacc rebound Mark W slammed the puck home for the lead.
The remainder of the 2nd and 3rd saw some great hustle play by Bryce M, Tyler P and Steven P with some close scoring chances. Along with some big stop goaltending by Reed L and important defensive stops by Brandon D, Brayden D and Luke Z Walkerton showed they were not going to give up easily.
When play resumed, neither team was willing to give an inch and battled from end to end. But it was Durham who struck first tying up the game with a bit over 3 minutes left in the game. Walkerton, though, was determined to rack up the 7th win in a row. With just 2 minutes left in the game Tyler G stole the puck and streaked for the Durham net. Liam R came along for the ride and after a picture perfect pass from Tyler G it was left to Liam R to backhand the puck deep into the net for what proved to be the game winner. That combination capped a 3 point game for Liam R and a two point one for Tyler G.
In the final two minutes Durham fought hard to crawl back, but the defensive team play and hot goaltending of Reed L proved to be too much and Walkerton ended up with the 4-3 win.