The Bantam Boy’s LL team would play it's first game of the
regular season by hosting the TCDMA Rebels on Sunday Oct. 20, 2019. The game
would feature end to end action from the opening faceoff to the final buzzer by
both teams.
The first period would see the two teams make several rushes down the ice only to be denied by outstanding goaltending. Walkerton would kill off some penalty issues early but would limit the Rebel chances to a minimum with some strong work along the boards. The period would wrap up with neither team being able to find the back of the net.
The Capitals would come out strong to start the second period and pepper the Rebels net with sustained pressure from the opening faceoff. Walkerton would open the scoring 4 minutes into the frame when Austin Cormack jumped on a loose puck and buried it behind the TCDMA goalie. Assisting on the goal were Connor Farrell and Tyler Wallace. Walkerton would continue to press and again be rewarded when Cayleb Peitz lifted the puck over the Rebels netminder, assisting on the play were Joshua Flood and Kody Brown. As time was winding down Cayleb would score again after being sent in a breakaway and going stick side on the goalie. Assisting on the goal were Jakob Girdler and Matthew McNaughton. Walkerton would lead 3-0 after 2 periods of play.
The third period would start with the Capitals again pressing in the Rebels end. Some strong work along the boards would see Landon Young send a pass back to the point where Xander Thronton would fire a hard shot on net that would be tipped by Cayleb Pietz at the side of the net to record the hat trick with his third goal of the game. The Rebels would continue to battle and would break the shutout with. just under 9:30 remaining. TCDMHA would continue to press and would come close, only to be stopped by some outstanding saves by Ryan Hinsperger in the Walkerton net. The Rebels would score with 12.7 seconds remaining while on the power play to cut the lead in half.
The Walkerton Capitals would open it’s 2019-2020 season with a win. Strong work along the boards and deep in the corners would keep much of the play in the offensive zone, while the defence would limit the number of shots from reaching the Walkerton net. The shots that did make it through were for the most part covered up quickly and rebounds kept to a minimum by Ryan. A great start to what promises to be a fantasic season for the LL team.