The Amherstburg Admirals split their two-game weekend, shutting out the Dresden Kings on Friday, before falling to the Wheatley Sharks at home on Saturday night.
Against Dresden, the Admirals built on a two-goal leading through 40 minutes of play by adding three more in the third on route to a 5-0 victory over the Kings. Josh Courtney stopped all 23 shots he faced to earn the win and the shutout, while Jake Archer was the top scorer in the game with a goal and two assists. Jake Goudreault and Owen Papulkas each had a goal and assist, with Drake McGowan and Jaxon Boucher notching the other Admirals goals.
Back on the ice the following night to take on the third-place Wheatley Sharks, the Admirals were faced with the challenge of having just 15 skaters in the lineup due to exams, injury and illness. The shorthanded squad battled impressively to generate chances and stay in the game but ultimately dropped a 4-1 decision to the veteran Sharks. Stefan Jacobs extended a personal point-streak to 10 games with his team’s lone goal which tied the game at 1-1 in the first period. Vito Alfano’s goal with 12 seconds left in the opening frame provided the big momentum shift for Wheatley, who went on to score one in the second period and another in the third to round out the scoring in front of 282 fans at the Libro Centre.
With the win over Dresden, the Admirals now trail the Kings by one point for sixth-place in the Stobbs Division. The team’s next action comes this Friday when they will visit the Atlas Tube Centre to take on the Lakeshore Canadiens.