The Walkerton Capitals would travel to Ayton on a foggy
night to play the Saugeen Valley Steelheads.
The game was played on January 24, 2024.
It would be the Steelheads who came out quickly in the
opening minutes of the game and they would score just two minutes into the period
when they were able to hold the puck at the blueline and then find the back of
the net after a goalmouth scramble.
Saugeen Valley would then increase its lead just over half way through
the period after scoring on a rebound at the side of the net. Walkerton would respond with six minutes remaining
when Luka Abell scored from the high slot area after taking a pass from Logan Anness. Just two minutes later Luka Abell would score
again after unleashing a blistering slapshot from just inside the blueline that
caught the top corner. The two teams
would be tied at 2-2 after the first period.
Saugeen Valley would restore its lead when just thirteen
seconds into the second period they would find the back of the net. The two teams would battle back and forth and
Walkerton would have several great scoring chances but would be unable to
capitalize on the opportunities. Saugeen
Valley would hold a 3-2 lead at the end of the second period of play.
Walkerton would come out quickly in the third period and be
rewarded when Travis Goll scored from the top of the faceoff circle to once
again tie the game. The Capitals would
again press throughout the period but even when the net was wide open they
would be unable to find the back of it. Missed
chances including breakaways and the inability to lift the puck would come back
to haunt the Capitals. Walkerton would
have chances on the power play in the later stages of the game but again the Steelheads
were able to keep the puck from the net.
Saugeen Valley would score with just over two minutes remaining after a
goalmouth scramble. Walkerton would pull
its goaltender with time winding down but after winning a faceoff in its own
end Saugeen Valley would draw the puck back and fire into an open net at the
other end of the rink. Saugeen Valley
would win the game 5-3 and hand the Capitals its first loss of the season.
The weather outside was foggy and the boys played in a fog
for most of the game. Things that they
had done so well all season long were for the most part completely absent. The passing game was either well behind or
too far in front of the intended target, the inability to lift the puck when
the goalie was down and out and just the ability to hit the net overall. The team will need to pull up its socks and
get back to basic as the final games of the season loom ahead.
WALKERTON CAPITALS - 3
SAUGEEN VALLEY STEELHEADS - 5