Nov 27, 2011 | Dan Culbert | 314 views
Curtin Solid, and Gotkowski Nets 2 in Win
Connor Curtin was solid in net, and Mike Gotkowski scored 2 powerplay goals as the CRS Contractors Rental Supply 99ers dominated a short staffed Oakridge team in a 7-3 win. Nursing a few injuries, the 99ers called upon AP players Brayden Dickenson, Brendan Martyniuk, and Deavon Boyenga to support the core group.
Looking a little overconfident, the 99ers started slow surrendering an early goal to the Oakridge team just over 3 minutes into the game. The team refocused and gained momentum through the rest of the period and were rewarded on the only powerplay of the period when Gotkowski banged home a rebound with just over 2 minutes left in the first. Ray Munro and Stefan DeDominicis earned assists on the play. Brantford built a lead in the second when Tyler Schaeffer jumped on a rebound in front with help from Dickenson and Martyniuk. 26 seconds later Brantford scored again on a nice 3 on 2 with Dakota Culbert's backhand finding a way though with help from linemates Jesse Stremler and Larry Hill. The 99ers continued to press throughout the period and were able to extend the lead to 4-1 with just over a minute to go when a good forecheck lead to an Oakridge turnover in their own zone and allowing Schaeffer to find a wide open Dickenson in front who made no mistake dekeing the goalie to the ice before lifting the puck into the top of the net, with Martyniuk again picking up the other assist. Curtin was solid in making good stops on two Oakridge powerplays in the second to hold the lead.
In the third Brantford started better, and increased their lead just over 2 minutes in when Hill chipped a puck into the neutral zone allowing Culbert to go in on a breakaway and he made no mistake beating the Oakridge goalie to the stick side for his second of the game and making it 5-1. Just over a minute later Gotkowski scored his second powerplay marker as he delayed, moved left and beat the Oakridge with the lone assist going to DeDominicis. A lazy backcheck right a the start of a shift, and then a failure to change when tired lead to Oakridge scoring two quick goals in the third on a single shift allowing them to close the gap to 6-3 midway through the period. A couple of minutes later, Curtin made a good save to stop the momentum, then Munro closed out the scoring with a long shot from the blueline on a late powerplay with Brent Smolarz picking up the assist. Although Smolarz was the only one to hit the scoresheet, the 99ers defense was solid all night with good efforts coming from Blaise Burtnick and RJ Huszczo.