Lions fizzle in loss to Rockets

**North Dundas blasts Morrisburg in third period** – North Dundas Rockets captain Bryden van Kessel (left) finds his way past Morrisburg Lions forward Thomas Ouderkirk (right) on his way to his second of three goals for the night. The Lions led the Rockets 3-2 going into the third period. North Dundas scored three goals in the third period including two power play goals by van Kessel, to take the game 5-3. (The Leader/Blancher photo)

CHESTERVILLE – Trying to regain their winning ways in 2018, the Morrisburg Jr. C Lions travelled to Chesterville to take on the North Dundas Rockets in their lone game of the week on February 3rd. The game was the final time the two teams would meet in the regular season.

After a scoreless first period, Rockets forward Shawn Simms (Justin Lefebvre, Bryden van Kessel) gave the team a 1-0 lead just 34 seconds into the second period.

Ten minutes later, Lions forward Bailey Norman (Thomas Ouderkirk, Brian Landry) scored on a power play to tie the game 1-1. Morrisburg took a 2-1 lead less than two minutes later when Josh Barnes put the Lions ahead on a breakaway. Aaron Smith (Cal Bilmer) made it 3-1 Lions with 1:41 left in the second on another power play.

Seconds later, Smith was sent to the penalty box which put the Rockets on another power play. Matthew Cowley (Simms) sent the puck past Lions goalie Dean Gauvreau with four seconds left on the clock in the period. Lions held on to a slim 3-2 lead over the Rockets as the teams entered the third period.

van Kessel (Mckay Balaton) tied the game seven minutes into the third period on a play down the left side.

The teams remained even until van Kessel’s breakaway goal with 3:11 on the clock put the Rockets ahead 4-3.

Smith was sent to the box with a double-minor penalty and only 2:28 left in the game. This put the Rockets on the power play for the remainder of the game. Lions coach Joe Hummel pulled Gauvreau to put the team back with five attackers.

van Kessel took advantage of the opportunity and finished off his hat trick with an empty net goal. The Lions fall to the Rockets 5-3.

The Rockets out shot the Lions 65-18 including 31 shots in the third period by North Dundas.

Morrisburg remains in ninth place overall with 20 points, four points ahead of the South Grenville Rangers. They play their final regular season home game February 10th, hosting the Bytown Royals.

After their home game, they finish the regular season with four games on the road, ending on February 18th.