Pembroke earns 4-2 victory 0
By Peter Lapinskie, The Daily Observer
CARLETON PLACE – Going into the league-leaders’ rink with a three-game losing streak? Big challenge... one the Pembroke Lumber Kings met Friday night with a 4-2 victory over the Carleton Place Canadians.
Both teams played hard in the opening period, with lengthy end-to-end sessions and few whistles in the first half. The Kings jumped out to a two-goal lead with Owen McDade scoring at the 7:00 mark, Ryan Hunter assisting. They made it 2-0 at 13:09 when a good forechecking effort by Hunter created a loose puck that McDade jumped on before feeding Ryan Erickson in front. Carleton Place got one back on the power play late in the period, Evan Peterson scoring at 18:27, Alex Frere and Larry Smith assisting. Carleton Place outshot Pembroke 12-8 as Kings’ netminder Darren Smith made some sharp saves in the first period.
After missing a couple of good scoring chances early in the second, the Kings were hit with a four-minute high-sticking penalty to Stephen Hrehoriak and the Canadians capitalized on it for their second power play goal, defenceman Larry Smith firing through a screen at 6:27 to make it 2-2. Despite giving up two power play goals, the Kings were dangerous killing penalties and Canadians’ goalie Tony Kujava had to make fine saves on Colin Bradbury and McDade. Carleton Place outshot Pembroke 10-9 in the second, 22-17 after 40 minutes.
Atoning for his earlier penalty, Hrehoriak gave Pembroke a 3-2 lead 1:16 into the third on a nifty shot, Brendan McGuire and Emilio Audi assisting on the play. Then Ryan Hunter continued his strong outing, scoring on a nifty backhander through the ‘five-hole’ unassisted at 7:12 to put Pembroke ahead 4-2.
The final minutes saw the Canadians all over the Kings, but Smith was equal to the test with some sharp saves to preserve Pembroke’s victory.
The Canadians outshot the Kings 13-8 in the third, 35-25 on the night.
Pembroke’s Ryan Hunter was named first star and Owen McDade second, with Carleton Place’s Larry Smith third.
The two teams meet again in Pembroke Sunday night at 7 p.m.
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