Home Page

Shamrocks Ride Hot Streak

It is a good time of the year to get hot.

The Erin Shamrocks ran their win streak to seven consecutive games (11 wins in their last 12) with a pair of weekend wins.  Erin made their last trip of the season to Fergus with a 12-0 spanking of the Devils and defended home ice on Saturday with a well-deserved 3-1 win over the Penetang Kings.  Erin had previously clinched the Southern Division three weeks ago but have now locked up third place overall in the Georgian Mid-Ontario Regular Season standings.

On the “AMJ Campbell Road Trip” to Fergus, the ice was “tilted” as the Shamrocks fired 76 shots on the Fergus net.  Erin scored 4 in the first, 5 in the second and finished off with 3 more in the third for the 12-0 shellacking of the hapless Devils.  Kyle Bennett and Rob Mair led the barrage with three goals each while Jeff Kingdon added a pair.  Singles went to Neil Kwast, Ray Donkers, Chris Crossey and Josh Gault.  Mair added four assists to his total and Kingdon added three helpers.  Brandon Polo was not busy in the Erin goal but turned aside all 22 shots he faced for his league-leading third shutout of the season.  Erin took only four minor penalties on the night.

A night later on home ice, the Shamrocks hosted the Penetang Kings who hold third place in the North Division.  Erin opened the scoring as Tyler Shippel notched his ninth goal of the season, on the powerplay, with assists going to Bill Howstrawser and Josh Sguigna.  Early in the second, Rob Mair counted his 34^thgoal of the season as he converted passes from Ray Donkers and Chris Crossey to make it a two goal lead but the Kings would cut the lead in half as Zach Leduc beat Craig Rylett with three minutes remaining in the period.

The third period was a see-saw affair with both teams having prime scoring opportunities but Erin’s Neil Kwast put the game out of reach with his tenth goal of the season as Chris Crossey put it on his stick and Kwast made the deposit.  Craig Rylett was strong down the stretch making 30 saves for his 13^thwin of the season.

Erin puts the finishing touches on a good regular season this weekend with a pair of home games.  The Stayner Siskins will visit Centre 2000 on Saturday night with a chance to clinch first place overall.  On Sunday, the Shamrocks will play their matinee game at 2:30 as they host the Fergus Devils on “Minor Hockey Day”.  The “AMJ Campbell Shootout” finals will take place and there will be raffle items for minor hockey players.

For a team that started the season with 14 new faces, it has been a building experience.  With a 25-11 and 2 record, this team has been getting better as the season has progressed and now feel prepared for a good playoff run.  Erin’s first home playoff game is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday January 31^stat 8:30 against either the Schomberg Cougars or the Midland Flyers.