The Lake Show reap benefits then bring it to the Rams

The Innisfil Lakers reaped the benefits this weekend of the suspended Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League franchises, picking up four points in one day.

First, the Ville-Marie Dragons suspended operations in late January, due to the team?s ownership group being unable to operate. The Lakers had a game scheduled between the Dragons Friday, so instead two points were automatically awarded to Innisfil.

A makeup game between the Lakers and the Tamworth Cyclones was supposed to be rescheduled for Friday. Then last Thursday, the Cyclones also suspended the season mainly because of health issues with team owner Rob Adams and financial matters. So, once again, it was two points for the Lakers.

?I respected both teams very much,? said Lakers Head Coach Shane Hicke. ?I wish them the best of luck to get more sponsorship or financial backing in order to re-emerge in this league (GMHL).?

Both franchises have a leave of absence for a period no greater than two years. Within that time, they can seek additional support, look for opportunities to move the teams or even seek out potential buyers for the clubs. Each franchise were in last place ? Ville Marie, last in North, Tamworth, last in South, when operations were suspended.

So, finally Innisfil got to actually play a contest Sunday after only playing once in the last three weeks, due to a variety of issues. The Lakers didn?t disappoint their fans at the Innisfil Recreational Complex, beating the Ontario Lightning Rams, 10-2.

?Our boys were really eager to play the (folded teams) games,? said Hicke. ?So, today was a chance for them to get out there and show what they?ve got. We have a lot of desire, work ethic and discipline, which meant (the Rams) ran into a hot team that really wanted to play.?

The Lakers proved that about a minute into the game, as defenceman Jamie Wicks fired a shot from near the blue-line, which found the back of the net, beating goaltender Jeremy Schaefer. Forward Max Newman added another marker, skating the length of ice then making his move, deking around Schaefer. There were then three power-play goals before the end of the period. Rams forward Brandon Amirault scored in between markers, from Max Douglas and Jonathan Dew.

The second then had the Lakers score five goals, all with different scorers. First Dew had his second, scoring shorthanded, then defenceman Dustin Timm notched a power-play marker. Forward Daniel Pitocco and defencemen Anthony Gambacorta (on the power play) and Tyler Roache were the other scorers in the period for Innisfil.

With 18 seconds left in the second, forward Frank Spano cut into the Lakers? lead with a spin and shot, beating Innisfil goalie Geoffrey Sadjadi.

With the game already out of reach, Douglas scored his second of the contest in the third, to go along with two assists.

Innisfil heavily outshot the Richmond Hill-based squad, 61-33. But, Hicke was convinced the Rams would give the Lakers a better game when the two teams faced off for the last time this regular season against each other at the Elvis Stojko Arena last night (Tuesday). The results were not known at press time, but the South Division first-place Lakers (29-5-1, 59 points) won the other three matchups, outscoring them, 28-10.

?I think it will be a different game,? said Hicke, of the sixth-place Rams (12-28, 24 points) ? his team?s possible first-round playoff opponent. ?They have something to prove and they don?t want to be swept by us.?

The Lakers then have three more road games this week. Friday, they travel to the Espanola Regional Recreation Complex to play the North Division seventh-place Kings (7-30-1, 15 points) at 8 p.m. Saturday, they head to the Dr. William Laceby Community Centre and Arena in Nobleton to play the South Division fourth-place King Wild (23-15-2, 48 points), also at 8 p.m. Sunday, there?s also a 6 p.m. start against the North Division fifth-place Minden Riverkings (16-20-1, 33 points) at the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena.

Injury report: Defenceman Shawn Sullivan missed the game against OLR to be with his sick grandmother in Florida. Forwards Cory Evelyn and Max Newman were both fighting colds, but played a factor in Sunday?s tilt against the Rams.