CARDINAL – Short seven players, the Morrisburg Jr. C Lions were handed a 13-1 loss by the league-leading South Grenville Rangers in Cardinal October 26th.
The Lions entered the game having lost the last four games straight, and were winless this season. For the Rangers, after a six-game undefeated season start, the team was looking to bounce back from its first loss of the season last weekend. It was a mismatch on the ice.
Morrisburg’s depleted bench was short seven players for the game, which quickly wore down the team. The Rangers had four affiliated players called up due to suspensions and injuries on the team.
South Grenville forward Matthew Berry (from Jacob Servage) scored six minutes into the first period to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead. Morrisburg countered back nine minutes later with Aiden Daly’s unassisted goal to tie the game. Late in the first period, Cameron Dillon (from Connor Van Luit and Braydan Forestell) scored the go-ahead-goal, Rangers led 2-1. They extended their lead over the Lions with a late goal in the period by Jacob McGonegal (from Servage and Kyle Dillabough).
The Rangers built on their 3-1 lead in the second period beginning with a shorthanded goal by Jordan Dodge seven minutes in. South Grenville added three more goals in the period, two from Resse Gibbons, one by Jordan Poulin.
Sloppy play in the third period by the Lions saw the team on the penalty kill frequently. Goals by Cole Edgely, Dodge, and McGonegal all were on the power-play.
The penalties settled down after Lions captain Tanner Barnett was ejected from the game in the middle of the third period.
South Grenville further capitalized on Morrisburg’s woes with goals by Edgely, Dodge, and Dillabough. The result, a 13-1 win for the Rangers over the Lions.
The Rangers continue to lead the National Capital Junior Hockey League overall standings with a record of seven wins, one loss. The team will take on the North Dundas Rockets in a home-and-home series beginning November 1st in Cardinal. That series heads to Chesterville on November 2nd.
The Lions travelled up to St. Isidore October 27th where the team faced the Eagles.
St. Isidore Eagles 9, Morrisburg Lions 2
ST. ISIDORE – The Morrisburg Lions did not have much time to recover from their 13-1 loss to the South Grenville Rangers. Less than 24-hours from that battle, the Lions took on the other top team in the NCJHL, the St. Isidore Eagles October 27th.
The Eagles quickly soared to a four-goal lead and added three goals in the second period. The Lions trailed the Eagles 7-0 after 40 minutes.
The Lions got a boost from two local players in the third period. Brinston-native forward Tyler Rae scored his first goal of the season, on a Lions power-play. Minutes later, Morrisburg-native defenceman Aaron Smith sent home a power-play goal of his own. St. Isidore scored two more goals of their own, resulting in a 9-2 loss for Morrisburg.
Morrisburg sits in the cellar of the NCJHL standings with zero wins, eight losses and one tie for one point. They trail the West Carleton Inferno by three points.
The Lions have a chance to climb out of the basement with a home-and-home series against the Inferno this weekend.
The Lions travel to Carp to visit the Inferno on November 2nd. The teams then meet in Morrisburg November 3rd at the Morrisburg Arena. Puck drop is at 2:15 p.m.
