A chance at a repeat

 

Members of the Essex 73’s and Integrity Amherstburg Admirals are preparing for a potential repeat of last year’s Great Lakes Junior “C” finals.

 

73’s Captain Matthew Hebert said the team has been taught not to underestimate teams and believes anyone can upset them.

 

“Mooretown has a great goalie, he makes great saves and keeps them in the game,” said Hebert.

 

Flags’ goaltender Brandon Johnson is keeping his team in games by making saves he shouldn’t be, he was a large part of his team’s seven game series with Lakeshore.

 

The 73’s are consistent in giving up very few shots, averaging just over 23 per game in the playoffs, while putting up over  30 shots in each game. For the 73’s to advance again they need to continue to generate offence from all four lines and make goalie Trevor Wheaton’s life easier.

 

On the other side of the bracket, the Integrity Amherstburg Admirals are facing the second seeded Blenheim Blades.  The Admirals added players on the trade deadline including last year’s leading scorer James Brooks.  Like Mooretown, a large part of their success comes from their goaltending in Connor Meyerink, who has put his team in a position to win.

 

“We are here to win. We’re not going to lose this year,” said forward Dylan Muzzatti. “We want it all and we’re probably going to get it all because we are the best team in the league.”

In order for the Admirals to advance to the finals once again, they need to have cool heads and stay out of the penalty box. However, the team struggled with this throughout the year. In addition they must generate offence from their bottom lines and be more consistent.

 

Teams like Essex showed in the regular season the lack of success they are able to have when their top two lines are not producing as much.

 

One thing is for certain, the two best teams will be playing a hard fought series to earn the title of GLJCHL champions.