2023-11-08

Lumberjacks split pair of home games

BRIDGEWATER - The South Shore Lumberjacks split their two home games this past weekend and now have a record of six wins, five losses and one overtime loss this season in the Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League.

The Lumberjacks laid a thumping on the visiting Brookfield Elks, 7-2 Sunday (Nov. 5) afternoon after losing to the defending Atlantic junior champions, the Antigonish Bulldogs 6-2 Nov. 4.

They will host the Pictou County Scotians on a special Remembrance Day matinee Nov. 11 at 3 p.m. followed by a road trip to Sackville to take on the Blazers Nov. 13.

Lumberjacks' coach Ryan Falkenham said it was a good all around effort for the win Nov. 5 following a tough battle against Antigonish.

"Antigonish is the top team in the league right now. We do have some young players. We didn't get the result we wanted, but I was happy with their effort on Saturday, especially in that first period. We just have to try and play that full 60.

"I think we did that yesterday (Sunday). We had a better start to the second period. We had chances, we outshot them and out chanced them, but the scoreboard didn't show it and we just stuck with the game and we were rewarded for sticking to the game."

The score in Sunday's game was 1-1 after the first period of play with Nolan Greenlaw notching the first goal to tie the game up for the home side.

In the second, the offence burst the bubble with five unanswered goals coming from Daniel Kline, Kyle Hopkins, Cohen Westlake, Aaron Lane and Owen Cleary.

In the third, the two teams exchanged goals, with Zach Evans finding the back of the net for the Lumberjacks.

Goaltender Kegan Greencorn stopped 25 of 27 shots in the win. The Lumberjacks outshot the Elks 30-27.

In Saturday's loss, Brennan Coleman and Cleary notched the markers for the home side. Greencorn stopped 31 shots.

Falkenham said that he is liking the progression of his team so far this season and can see things come together that they are working on in practises, such as special teams play, better offensive play off the rush, cycling and using low to high in the offensive zone.

Heading into this weekend's play, on his wish list, is consistent play through a full 60 minutes and tightening up the defensive play, focusing "on the little details that make a difference."