Nov 13, 2023 | Mackenzie | 750 views
Applekings win their 3rd in a row
Applekings get back to .500 on the back of 2 goals from Damien Demarco-Sutton.
Sunday, November 12, 2023 | Lucknow, ON
The Applekings struggled through a close game on Sunday against the Lancers. Lucknow came out with two quick goals by Tanner Simpson (Shorty) and Mike Johnstone (PP). The Applekings responded a few minutes later with a sqeaker of a goal by #25 Matthew Gill, his first senior hockey goal, assisted by #92 Kevin Shuttleworth. It took the Lancers less than a minute to respond on another power play goal by Brett Binning. The Applekings started to battle back after that goal and started to control some of the play, they were rewarded with a goal from #12 Damien Demarco-Sutton (his first Senior hockey goal), assisted by #16 Dan Atkinson and #23 Michael Redick. The shots ended up fairly even in this period 11-10 Lancers (although they were not inputted online).
The Applekings ended up shorthanded early in the 2nd on a pair of bad penalties, in which Lucknow took advantage of with Mike Johnstones 2nd of the game. The Lancers took over the game for a little bit this period and wore down the Applekings with another goal with 8:27 left in the period to take a 5-2 lead. #10 Evan Buehler got one goal back for the Applekings on a nice play by #97 Brody Cadeau, also assisted by #16 Daniel Atkinson with 4 to go in the 2nd and things started to change after that for the good guys. The shots ended up 11-9 for the Applekings in this period.
The Applekings were all over the Lancers in the 3rd period, finally getting back to the game they know they can play. #24 Jamie Wise scored, assisted by #77 Jake Mortley and #4 Connor Long to cut the lead to one. The Applekings kept coming, but were getting some unlucky bounces around the opposing net. They broke through with 1:34 to go in the 3rd with a goal from Damien Demarco-Sutton, assisted by #8 Neal Ross and #10 Evan Buehler, tying the game at 5-5. The Applekings had two other high danger chances after that goal but were unable to secure the win before overtime. Shots this period were 10-9 Applekings.
That means the Applekings were off to their first ever overtime! The overtime was a pretty evenly contested affair in terms of shots (7-6 for the Lancers). However the Applekings controlled most of the play, getting a few chances in tight without an actual shot on net or just missing the net. Both teams had a chance to end the game with breakaways or 1-0 chances but both goalies came up big for their teams. A shootout was necessary on this night, the shootout went as follows:
Applekings 1st Shooter, #19 Mackenzie Fleming: Miss (Hit the Post after beating the goalie)
Lancers 1st Shooter, #22 Trent Michie: Miss (Missed the net with a shot wide)
Applekings 2nd Shooter, #24 Jamie Wise: Goal (Fake slap shot and patient finish with the back-hand)
Lancers 2nd Shooter, #39 Tanner Simpson: Miss (Fake shot to backhand but Gowe read it the whole way)
Applekings 3rd Shooter, #10 Evan Buehler: Miss (Slick move to the backhand that was read by Hessel)
Lancers 3rd Shooter, #25 Mike Johnstone: Miss (Tried low blocker but saved by Gowe)
Noah Featherstonhaugh Gowe was lights out in the 3rd period and Overtime to secure the win for the Applekings.
Cathi Parrish, Locations North 3 Stars for the Applekings:
3rd Star: #24 Jamie Wise, Shootout Winner
2nd Star: #10 Evan Buehler, 1 goal and 1 assist
1st Star: #12 Damien Demarco-Sutton, 2 Goals including game tying goal in last minute of 3rd period.
Applekings next game is at Home on Saturday, November 18th at 5:30 PM against the Ripley Wolves.