It's time for a East vs. West showdown tonight in SMJHL action! The visiting Montreal Militia has had a very good start to their season, thanks to the play of star forward Gaspard Boone and rock-solid goaltending from Mike Hunt, their starter tonight, and are coming into tonight's game looking to improve to their away record - currently sitting at an impressive 7-2-0. Their counterpart, the Lethbridge Lions, have struggled mightily at home so far this season, having won only one game in nine outings in front of their fans. They're definitely looking to carry their good away form in their own barn, and hopefully start a resurgence in the standings. Nolan McMahon will have the start for them tonight. With the beautiful Rockies as scenery, we now go down to puck drop.

First Period

The Militia start this game with intent, and subject McMahon to a barrage of shots, to which the Swiss netminder answers in kind. We're also seeing a lot of physical play between the two teams - both sides show they're not afraid to throw bodies at one another! We finally see Lethbridge register a shot on Mike Hunt at around the seven minute mark, but Montreal is still dominating in possession and in intent in the offensive zone. They're trying to get Lethbridge to commit infractions, and they do just that, when the Lions' captain Delver Fudgeson is tossed to the sin bin for roughing on Gaspard Boone - a nasty hit to shake up either his team, or to rattle the star. But even with some good looks on net, Montreal still can't get on the board.

Once the penalty is over, the play starts to go end-to-end, with some good chances coming for both sides, even if there are some miscues here and there, the game remains a very contested affair - no one wants to concede the first goal! Lethbridge is once again taken down a man, this time, Cant Eykhil is caught for hooking a streaking Padraig Sarantez in the neutral zone. Heikki Jaakola wins the face-off and slides it to Sarantez who riffles it just wide - but the puck makes its way to the point, where it is retrieved by Wyatt Ruschkoff, who lines it up and lasers it past McMahon - 1-0 Montreal! His first goal of the season, coming in just 4 seconds into their second powerplay of the game - talk about efficiency!

Intent to get back into the game, the Lions let out a flurry of shots in the direction of Mike Hunt, but the Austrian barely has to make a save - the shots are all peppered wide! As the period starts winding down, Montreal is on the prowl once again, but a good shot block by Jack Wilson on Ravyn Tedisko starts an interesting sequence for Lethbridge, as Wilson is able to spring forward Liam Hutchinson. Seeing Eva Lykke Aparjode going full speed ahead, he relays her the puck, which creates a two-on-one with Luca Veccelli. The rookie plays the one-two to perfection, as Aparjode is left alone in front of Mike Hunt, and elevates it just enough to beat his right pad - Lethbridge ties it at 1-1! A sixth goal this season for the Latvian, and it rouses the crowd of the ENMAX Centre!

The period ends with this tie, with the shots being 13-9 in favor of the Militia.

Second Period

Once again, Montreal starts this period eager to get back in front, but this time, Padraig Sarantez goes a bit too far, and shoves Nolan McMahon into his own net - that's a penalty. While the Lions have their fair share of chances on this powerplay, they are unable to convert. However, a few seconds later, the Militia are surprised with the efficiency of a Lethbridge line change - with the benches on the opposite side, Boruvka Banananak steps on the ice quickly and intercepts Zeno Miniti's outlet pass. The Czech winger tosses it to Hugh Jazz, who comes blazing into the Montreal zone, skipping past the defense, and letting a heavy wrist shot rip, just above Hunt's shoulder and into the net - 2-1 Lethbridge! Mike Hunt looks in disbelief at his teammates, as the Lions' first line celebrate Jazz's eighth goal this season!

Montreal is doing everything in their power to buy back the goal they coughed up earlier, but with each attempt, Nolan McMahon is equal to the task, multiplying saves on the Militia's powerplay, as Liam Hutchinson got two minutes for roughing, and even after, as the Lions do not get a good sniff of the offensive zone for several minutes thereafter. However, Padraig Sarantez is once again called for a penalty, this time for hooking. The powerplay woes continue for Lethbridge, as they only record two shots on goal during the ensuing man advantage, and fail to really establish themselves in threatening positions.

Later in the period, as the Militia had just been called for icing, Lethbridge's second line of Veccelli, Aparjode and Hutchinson install themselves in the offensive zone. Aparjode starts the sequence after receiving the puck after the face-off from her centerman Veccelli, and shoots it towards Mike Hunt - it's stopped, but the rebound rolls to defenseman Cal Clucker, who slams it off-target. The puck bounces wildly but it's bunted forward by Liam Hutchinson, who controls the puck and lines up a shot that takes Hunt off-guard - 3-1 Lethbridge! He scores his sixth of the season, and the home fans are all smile as their first two lines are producing tonight!

Inspired by their good 5v5 play, the Lions continue attacking Hunt's net, but Montreal's goalie keeps the door shut, and most importantly, keeps his team in the game. The Militia have a surge late in the period, but once again, Nolan McMahon is seeing everything that is fired at him. The Swiss netminder is having himself a game, ladies and gentlemen. The shots are close in this period, 12 for Montreal and 11 for Lethbridge.

Third Period

Both teams are trading blows early in the period, but the goalies are up to the task. What the game has lost in physicality, it has gained in speed and sharp counter-attacks, and we're seeing some very exciting play from the two teams - both chock-full of rookies, which may explain this much vigor so late in the game. As Wyatt Ruschkoff tries to start another attack for his team, his pass is intercepted by Cant Eykhil, who exhanges it with Hugh Jazz. A good stick lift by Ruschkoff sees Eykhil lose the puck, but it falls kindly to Boruvka Banananak, who snipes it home - but the celebrations are cut short by the referee! The goal is refused - Hunt has been interfered with! Video review confirms the official's call, to the great ire of the Lethbridge faithful.

With renewed fervor, the Lions assault Mike Hunt's net, but the Austrian keeps the puck out of his cage. As Touncie Bitties gets caught for tripping, Lethbridge once again has a chance at extending their lead to three goals, but fall short, barely testing Hunt. While this is a dire situation for Montreal, who's absolutely looking for a goal to shift momentum in the game, the Lions are content to just let play come to them and overload the blue line, and use their top faceoff men to their advantage, not hesitating to ice the puck should the Militia apply too much pressure.

This strategy shows its failings late in the period, as after a good spell in the offensive zone, the Militia are able to draw their fourth penalty of the game, this time against Johnny Patey for elbowing. Montreal's powerplay goes to work, and starts peppering Nolan McMahon from every angle, desperately trying to pierce the iron curtain that has been the Swiss netminder tonight. In the last few seconds of the powerplay, the first unit is back on the ice, with defensemen Wyatt Ruschkoff and Padraig Sarantez exchanging the puck. A shot from Ruschkoff is stopped by McMahon, but Henry Morris IV is the first on the rebound. While his shot is blocked by Delver Fudgeson, the puck rolls slowly to Heikki Jaakola, who surprises McMahon out of position, and slots it top shelf - Montreal makes it 3-2! A fourth goal for the Finn this season! With 2:20 left in the period, can the Militia take us to overtime?

Unfortunaly for the Militia fans, after this goal, the Lions take possession of the puck, and rarely let it go for the rest of the period, forcing Mike Hunt to stay in net until there are only 30 seconds left in the game. By that time, it is too little, too late, and Lethbridge celebrates their second home win of the season in 10 games! The players surround McMahon, who was imperial tonight.

Box Score

|                     | | |
|Goals            |     2      |     3     |
|Shots            |    40     |    31    |
|Powerplay      |   2/4    |    0/3   |
|Hits               |    20     |    14    |
|Faceoff%       |  49.1% | 50.9% |
|Blocked Shots|     3      |     6     |

Three Stars

Third Star : Liam Hutchinson -  
Second Star : Nolan McMahon -  
First Star : Eva Lykke Aparjode -  

The Unsung Hero

The heroes of the game are very well highlighted in tonight's three stars selection, but if I had to pick anyone else, it would be the third member of Lethbridge's second line, Luca Veccelli, that would deserve this accolade. The rookie went 19/32 (59.4%) in the faceoff dot tonight, lining up often against the opposition's top line, and showing poise in his play - which is very exciting for his future. While he did not register a single shot on goal tonight, he was always involved in the build-up on his line, and it seems that he is taking to his bigger responibilities very well. Should he continue at this pace, we can expect to see him go in the first round of the upcoming SHL draft.

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