Divisional rivals meet again

The final positioning in the Peewee BB Lions division standings is unlikely to be determined until the last game of the regular season has been played. Behind the powerhouse Lakeshore Panthers, five teams were separated by just five points entering this past weekend’s action, making each remaining game that much more important.

Fittingly, the match-up between the Dollard Pirates and West Island Royals this past Sunday was very evenly disputed, ending in a 2-2 tie.

The two goaltenders were kept busy through the entire match, with teams exchanging scoring chances at an alarming rate. The fact that the game saw only four goals scored is a credit to their performance.

West Island goalie, Joseph Picard, was brilliant, stopping three clear breakaways and a myriad of other scoring chances. Fortunately for his team, Ryan Coughlin was also up to the task, matching Picard save for save throughout the match.

The Pirates took a 1-0 lead five minutes into the second period when Dominic Paolucci shoveled home a rebound in a goalmouth scramble, but the Royals evened the game on a Massimo Luciano power play goal a few minutes later. It didn’t take long to figure out why Luciano, naturally a forward, was shifted to defense for the power play. Possessing a lethal slap shot, his goal was the fifth shot he launched on net during the man advantage.

The power play struck again for West Island early in the third period. Aware of Luciano’s rocket, the Pirates seemed to focus their defensive strategy on preventing him from shooting. In this they were successful, but the extra attention near the blue line opened up the slot for Shawn Moors, who found an opening and fired a wrist shot that beat Coughlin blocker side.

The Pirates replied in kind, tying the game on a power play goal soon after. Adam Smolar’s redirection in front of the net skipped past Picard, and wrapped up the scoring. The goaltenders did well to keep the game tied, each turning away multiple quality scoring chances before the final whistle.

As a result of the game the Royals remain one point ahead of the Pirates in the Lions division standings. The Royals also hold two games in hand.