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The Fastest Game on Two Feet |
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Regular Season Results
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| May 6/09 vs. London Blue Devils |
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The Pacers dug themselves a hole early and then climbed out of it and snatched their first win of the season in their third home game of the season. Batting down the hatches for Sarnia was starter Stevee General for the Pacers who had a bit of a difficult night and found himself pulled after giving up 4 goals on 19 shots. Between the pipes for London was Shawn Snow. London opened the scoring early but Sarnia notched at one each just about two and a half minutes later on a Joe McKelvie marker from Chris Theoret. An early bout featured Sarnia's Adam Cobb and London's Martin with neither of them worse for wear. Both teams had a power play chance but could not capitalize but London did get the next goal, and from an unexpected source. General went to make a pass with his stick and while it was up and behind him, the ball rolled out of the netting, onto the floor and across the goal line much to the surprise of most everyone in the building. London would pull their goaltender with 21 ticks left on the clock and tried to get another goal before the period expired but the Pacers didn't allow much ball possession. Neither team scored on their single power play chance and London outshout Sarnia by a margin of 18 to 5 during this first period of play. The second period began eerily like the first with an unassisted goal scored by Muszak of London giving the Blue Devils a two goal lead just 65 seconds in. Sarnia would get one back with a power play marker off the stick of Riley Thompson at the 15:26 mark with assists going to TJ Mara and Chris Theoret. London got into some penalty trouble this period taking checking from behind minors - which are four minutes in duration - on three separate occasions. During the first of these, Sarnia's General left the net to play the ball getting caught out of position and leading to a short-handed goal by London. Coach Dark pulled the hook on Stevee and in came Justin Matthews to face the Blue Devils for the balance of the game as of the 6:09 mark. Sarnia got to within one as the teams were playing four a side on a Riley Thompson marker at 13:15 while Adam Cobb picked up the single assist. With 3:38 remaining Jamie Surman tied the game at four each much to the delight of the home town crowd. The game was afoot once again. Again, just a single assist on the goal, this time to Mike Butler. As time expired, one of the referees signaled a minor to London - checking from behind again and the Pacers began the third with a man advantage for a possible four minutes. London had two power play chances this period but could not capitalize on either as the Pacers "D" played well and Matthews was there when needed. This period saw Sarnia outshoot London by a 14-11 margin. London began the third period much as they finished the second, taking penalties. Just 31 seconds into play and the Blue Devils found themselves playing two men short as they were again called for checking from behind. It would cost them the game. Giving the Pacers the lead for the first time in the game with a five on three power play goal was Chris Theoret who swished one from the side of the net. Assists went to Riley Thompson and Lance Ross. At the faceoff, a few Sarnia players were arguing and shoving and while that took place, London's Masterson picked up the ball and made a pass to King who went in alone on Matthews for a short handed goal, notching the game at five each. That didn't last long - all of 11 seconds actually before Lance Ross took a nifty pass from Kyle Ferguson and popped in a goal over the shoulder of the London tender. Bout number two took place shortly afterward and as a result JD Beavis of London found himself off to the showers as a result of it being his second fight of the night. Sarnia fans held their breath with just over 7 minutes left in the game when Adam Cobb took a checking from behind minor giving the Blue Devils the opportunity of four minutes with the man advantage. Sarnia PK units were up to the task as was the tending of Matthews. With 4:15 left, Sarnia's Aaron Schieman sealed the win for the home team while helpers were picked up by Joe McKelvie and Riley Thompson. London did pull their goaltender with 16.1 left on the clock but could not get anything set up or behind Justin. |
By the Numbers:
Full stats for this game can be found here. Back to scores |
| May 8/09 - In Hamilton |
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The Pacers road woes continue to haunt them after they lost their 3rd road game and their 5th game of the season to the hometown Bengals. It seemed as though they had bus legs and got off to an extremely slow start. By the time the first period was over they were down by a score of 7-2 and had given up two short-handed markers, both of them coming in the final 31 seconds. Hamilton reeled off three straight goals beginning with an early one just 66 seconds in. An early bout between Parson of Hamilton and Sarnia's Joe McKelvie at 7:15 didn't seem to spur on the visiting Pacers even though they did come out of it with a power play chance. Sarnia finally got on the scoreboard at the 15:25 mark on a Josh Yurchuk marker from Joe Allison. The Bengals replied with back to back goals taking a 5-1 lead with just under three minutes to go. Banging home Sarnia's second goal at 17:39 was Riley Thompson with an assist to Joe McKelvie. The Pacers have been a slow starting team each game and but lately have find a different gear in the second and third periods. However, this time Sarnia went to their dressing room with a very large hill to climb. Hamilton was 0 for 1 with the man advantage while Sarnia went 0 for 3 on the power play. The second period found a different Pacers team take to the floor- one that out played and out scored the Bengals. However it was Hamilton who scored the first two goals one of which was again short- handed. Jackson picked up a double minor for checking from behind and was joined by team mate Chris Theoret at the 6:42 mark as a result of exchanging blows with Longboat of Hamilton, who took an additional two minutes for high sticking. As a result, the teams were playing four a side when Mike Butler bulged the twine at 7:34 and the Pacers began to chip away at their seven goal deficit. Assisting on the goal was Sarnia tender Justin Matthews. Adam Cobb went off at 8:38 for interference and 17 seconds later Hamilton restored their 7 goal lead. The Pacers continued their long climb back into the game, reeling off three markers before the period concluded. It began with a Mike Butler goal at 12:34 from Adam Cobb. The next goal, at 15:36, came off the stick of Ryan Charteris from Joe McKelvie and 20 seconds later Mike Butler popped in his third of the evening. The lone assist went to Mike Giroux. Hamilton went 1 for 4 with the man advantage this period while Sarnia went 0 for 4 on their power play chances. In the final 20 minutes of play, the Pacers again outscored the home team but could not overcome the large hole they had put themselves into earlier in the game. The teams traded goals early in the period, Hamilton scoring their 11th at the 5:43 mark and Sarnia replying with a TJ Mara goal 15 seconds later with helpers to Joe McKelvie and Josh Yurchuk. The final goal for the Bengals came at 10:01 and the Pacers took all of 17 seconds to respond with one of their own. Putting it in for Sarnia was Connor Wright from Riley Thompson and Joe McKelvie. Less than 30 seconds later McKelvie potted home an unassisted goal to cut the lead down to three. Sarnia pulled their goaltender a number of times with under three minutes to go and it paid off for them - once. The final Pacers goal, at 17:42, was scored by Mike Butler with an assist to Riley Thompson. Sarnia did have a power play chance during the final two minutes but could not get anything further behind McNamara of Hamilton. |
By the Numbers:
Full stats for this game can be found here. Back to scores |
| May 10/09 vs. London Blue Devils |
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Both teams came into the Clearwater Arena looking for their second win of the season. They lost a close contest to the Bengals on Friday evening in Hamilton while London had dropped their Saturday evening game to the very same team. The Pacers staved off a late run by the Blue Devils sending the home town crowd happy at the conclusion of this contest on Mother's Day. Picking up the 12 - 11 win for the Pacers was Justin "House" Matthews.
Sarnia got into penalty trouble during the game and it started early with an interference call at 1:35 to Chris Theoret who sat the entire two minutes in the sin bin. Specialty teams played a big part in this game and it kicked in for the first goal with the Pacers scoring on a short-handed marker off the stick of Lance Ross who had scooped up a loose ball in his own end and made the trek to the other end before swishing it past the starting tender - Brennor Jacobs - of London. The Blue Devils responded with two of their own to take a brief lead - that is until Riley Thompson netted one home with an assist going to Jordan Franchuk. London took a two goal lead before the period was half over, both on the power play before Sarnia found their feet and some scoring. Getting it started for the Pacers was TJ Mara who notched his first of the night at 12:10 getting help from Jordan Franchuk and Adam Cobb. Following up that goal was an Aaron Schieman marker just 43 seconds later with an assist going to Mike Butler. Almost five minutes of end-to-end play took place, each team getting a few scoring chances but it would be Sarnia's TJ Mara striking with his second of the period that would give the Pacers the lead - one they would not relinquish for the balance of the game. Picking up the lone assist was Joe McKelvie. London was 2 for 4 with the man advantage this period while Sarnia had no power play chances as they were the only ones serving time in the sin bin this period - four times to be exact.
The Pacers came out and played a strong 20 minutes this period and by its end at staked themselves to a three goal lead. Starting it off at the 1:38 mark was Jimmy Purves with an unassisted goal, stuffing in his own rebound. Both teams had players who were called for checking from behind minors but it was Sarnia who struck for a short-handed marker - their second of the evening. Posting the Pacers to a two goal lead at 9:09 was Chris Theoret from Riley Thompson. London replied with one of their own over five minutes later to get to within two but again Sarnia responded with a goal of their own. Bulging the twine at 16:16 was Jimmy Purves with assists to Joe McKelvie and Jordan Franchuk. The Blue Devils got one more before the period was over but Sarnia answered the bell, notching one with 1:45 remaining coming off the stick of Mike Butler while Riley Thompson picked up the lone assist. London was 0 for 2 with the man advantage this period while Sarnia went 0 for 1 on their lone power play chance.
The final stanza saw London launch a comeback and it made for an exciting finish, regardless of the team for which you were rooting. Sarnia opened the scoring and gave themselves a four goal lead on a marker by Connor Wright at 2:26 with help from TJ Mara and Josh Yurchuk. At this point London made a goaltender change to Shawn Snow who eventually got tagged with the loss. The two teams traded a couple of goals over the next four minutes of play, London trying desperately to keep the game close. London's Brendan Chess notched an unassisted goal at 3:37 and so too did Sarnia's Adam Cobb at 5:24 which restored the Pacers four goal lead. London then reeled off three in a row over a four minute span and closed the gap to a single goal. Two of the goals came while the Blue Devils were on the power play as Sarnia got into a bit of penalty trouble. Sarnia's lone power play chance came near midway through the period. With Brendan Beavis off for holding, Mike Butler bulged the twine at 10:53 giving his team a two goal lead once again. Assisting on the goal were Joe McKelvie and Riley Thompson. Sarnia continued to hold on to their slim lead, taking two more penalties before the game ended. During the second of these two, Joe Allison got a time out in the sin bin for high sticking and the Blue Devils capitalized for their third power play goal of the game, getting them to within one. It was as close as they could get but during the final seconds Pacers fans held their collective breath as the ball tumbled around, behind and even in front of the goal net - but it never found it's way over the goal line. |
By the Numbers:
Full stats for this game can be found here. Back to scores |
| May 12/09 In Windsor |
| A small crowd of about 100 took in
this Tuesday night battle between two teams in the Far West Division of
the Western Conference - the front leading AKO Fratmen and the
Sarnia Pacers. By game's end the Fratmen sported a 5-0 record while
Sarnia dropped to 2-6 for the season. Taking the loss for Sarnia - his
second of the season - was Stevee General who faced 66 shots
while his counterpart for Windsor - Erik McLaren took the win
with 29 saves Sarnia kept themselves in the game during the first period and for part of the second before the Fratmen pulled away and put the game firmly out of reach. Windsor opened the scoring at 13:28 of the first period but it wasn't until the 17:18 mark that Sarnia got on the scoreboard with their first to notch the game at one each. Getting the goal was Jamie Schieman with Josh Yurchuk and Mike Butler picking up assists. Windsor got one back just 34 seconds later to regain the lead. With 43 seconds left, Sarnia tied the game again, this time on a Jimmy Purves marker with help from TJ Mara and Connor Wright. The Fratmen took a one goal lead into the dressing room when they got one more past Stevee General just 10 seconds later. Neither team had a power play chance as offsetting minors were taken early in the game. During second period, the wheels began to fall off for the Pacers as Windsor jumped out to a two goal lead by the 3:30 mark. Sarnia's Kyle Jackson cut it down to one just over four minutes later with Riley Thompson picking up the lone assist. While Adam Cobb of the Pacers was off serving a minor for roughing, Windsor got a power play goal and restored their two goal lead 13:27 into the game and then got their sixth 33 seconds later. The Fratmen closed out the scoring for the period on a goal with just five seconds remaining and took a 7-3 lead into the dressing room. Windsor went 1 for 2 with the man advantage this period while Sarnia was 0 for 1 on the power play. In the final stanza the Fratmen took it to the Pacers, reeling off four goals in a row and took a commanding 11-3 lead before the period was six minutes old. Sarnia got one back on a TJ Mara goal at 8:24 with assists going to Joe McKelvie and Kyle Jackson. At the 10:41 mark Sarnia's Mike Giroux was assessed a four-minute checking from behind minor but Sarnia didn't begin playing a man short right away since Windsor's Chapman was called for unsportsmanlike conduct a the same stoppage. With the teams playing four a side, goals were exchanged and Windsor struck first. Sarnia's final marker was a hat trick for TJ Mara coming at the 12:08 mark while Adam Cobb and Jimmy Purves picked up assists. Once Chapman finished his time in the box, Windsor struck for a powerplay goal at the 14:23 mark and then did so again when Lance Ross was off for unsportsmanlike conduct just over a minute later. A few scraps took place as tempers flared and frustration bubbled to the surface during the final five minutes of the game. Near the end of the second Sarnia's Jamie Schieman took on Sokolowski of Windsor then took on Matte near the 16 minute mark of this period. With 1:45 to go, Jimmy Purves of Sarnia battled Greer of Windsor then Sarnia's Jamie Surman took on Moore of the Fratmen with a single tic left on the clock. Both teams had two power play chances this period but it was Windsor who capitalized with the man advantage, both times. |
By the Numbers:
Full stats for this game can be found here. Back to scores |
| May 15/09 IN Wallaceburg |
| The Pacers found themselves on the short end of an 8-1 drubbing in
Wallaceburg this Friday evening. They could not seem to get
anything started nor get much penetration through the Red Devils "D"
while Sarnia's tender - Justin Matthews - looked a bit shaky at
times. Going the distance and picking up his second win of the
season was Tye Belanger. The home town team took an early lead, notching their first just 42 seconds in and had a two goal lead before the game was 8 minutes old. Scoring what would proved to be the winning goal for Wallaceburg was Joel Shepley. Both teams had powerplay chances (2 for Wallaceburg and 3 for Sarnia) yet neither could capitalize during the first 20 minutes of play. The Red Devils scored early again in the second taking 69 seconds this time. With Sarnia's Jimmy Purves in the sin bin for slashing, Wallaceburg scored on the power play and had a 4-0 lead by the 3:42 mark. Sarnia's lone marker came off the stick of Jordan Franchuk at 11:46 with the lone assist to Jimmy Purves. A high sticking call and an unsportsmanlike conduct minor with 53 seconds remaining in the second period was given to Chris Theoret of the Pacers and the Red Devils found themselves with the man advantage to end this period and begin the next. Notching the power play goal at 1:19 was Chad Murphy and picking up two quick makers with under 8 minutes to go was Clint LaMarsh. |
By the Numbers:
Full stats for this game can be found here. Back to scores |
| May 20/09 vs. Wallaceburg |
| A slightly different Pacers squad took to the floor against the Red
Devils in this home and home series that saw the lead exchange a few
times over the 70 minutes of play. There was plenty of end to end
plays and just quick breaks but nothing got past either goaltender -
Tye Belanger for Wallaceburg and Justin Matthew for Sarnia
-until the 11:23 mark as Wallaceburg got a powerplay goal from
Rob Pollock while Lance Ross was off serving a minor for slashing.
Ross would return to the sin sin at the 12:14 mark but this time it was
the Pacers getting a marker -- short-handed off the stick of Jamie
Surman with an assist to Chris Theoret just 39 seconds after
the penalty began. Sarnia took a one goal lead to the dressing
room on an Aaron Schieman marker at 15:04 after receiving a nice
long pass from Justin Matthews. Wallaceburg tied it up with a power play goal of their own early in the second period while Sarnia's Theoret was in the sin bin for holding. Notching the goal at the 2:05 mark was Zack Underwood. They would take the lead just over six minutes later on a goal by Chadd Murphy but lead lasted for all of 36 seconds before Jimmy Purves tied the game again. Assisting on the goal were Kyle Jackson and Chris Theoret. Wallaceburg made good on their second power play chance this period, regaining the lead on another Chadd Murphy marker at 11:25 of the period. Notching the game at four each for Sarnia was Kyle Jackson just over a minute later with helpers to Jimmy Purves and Mike Butler. Getting a hat trick in this period and returning the lead to the visitors was Chadd Murphy with 2:33 remaining in the period. A few minors were taking including a strange call for roughing to Sarnia's Mike Butler. A bit of scrum took place behind the net and a few punches were thrown but no fighting penalties called, seemingly curious to some of the spectators at the game who felt fighting majors should have been assessed. The game continued with Sarnia tying it up at the 13:30 mark on a Lance Ross goal from Kyle Jackson. Just over three minutes later, Aaron Schieman bulged the twine to give the home team the lead with 3:19 remaining and it seemed that Sarnia just might get their third win of the season. Those hopes were dashed just 46 seconds later when Clint LaMarsh banged one home. Sarnia did have a golden opportunity to get the winning goal as they had a power play chance given to them when Wallaceburg's Brown was called for elbowing with 1:24 remaining but the Pacers could not get it done. As a result, a full 10 minute overtime period followed. Sarnia got the go ahead goal at the 2:52 mark on an Aaron Schieman goal and picking up assists were Jimmy Purves and Kyle Jackson. Both teams played cautiously and defensively, neither wishing to make a mistake. With 38.7 remaining in the period, Wallaceburg pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker and managed to tie the game with 3.6 seconds remaining on a Justin Belanger marker. |
By the Numbers:
Full stats for this game can be found here. Back to scores |
| May 23/09 IN Owen Sound |
| The Pacers held their own for the first 20 minutes of the game and
went to the dressing room after 20 minutes of play without scoring or
surrendering a goal. However by the time the second period was
four minutes old, Sarnia was down by three goals and it only continued
to worsen. The lone goal for Sarnia was scored at 12:01 and was an
unassisted marker notched by Jimmy Purves. The home team
added two more before the period was over and took a 5-1 lead into the
dressing room after 40 minutes of play. The bad news for Pacer fans continued as Owen Sound opened the scoring 35 seconds into the final frame of the game. They reeled off four more and had a commanding 10-1 lead. The final goal of the game came with Sarnia enjoying the man advantage. Bulging the twine with 2:32 remaining was Aaron Schieman with assists to Riley Thompson and Kyle Ferguson. |
By the Numbers:
Full stats for this game can be found here. Back to scores |
| May 29/09 vs. Six Nations |
| The Pacers started out of the game well and opened the scoring just
1:21 in on a TJ Mara goal that gave some hope to the home team
crowd with the lone assist given to AP callup Dan Charlton.
Six Nations got on the board on another of those strange plays that has
seemed to haunt the Pacers. It appeared the 30 second shot clock
had expired but the whistle to indicate a possession change didn't come.
The Pacer players on the floor seemed to be waiting for the whistle and
while they did, the Rebels took advantage of a slow whistle and netted a
marker of their own, tying the game at one each and then taking the lead
before the game was three minutes old. Sarnia's Mara went to serve
a minor for slashing almost six minutes later and the Rebels made the
Pacers pay, scoring a power play goal at the 9:43 mark. They would
get two more before the period was over to take a 5-1 lead into the
dressing room, that fifth goal coming with just 4.3 ticks on the clock. In the second period Sarnia seemed to find their defensive legs a bit more but could not seem to penetrate the defensive corps of the Rebels often and when they did, Hill was there to make the stop. Some fisticuffs took place at the 8 minute mark and getting to serve some time in the sin bin were Johnson Jimerson of Six Nations and Sarnia's Chris Theoret. It seemed both landed a few blows on the other before Theoret pulled Jimerson to the floor. Jimerson also picked up an additional two minutes for roughing which was served by Rodd Squire. Although playing a man short, the Rebels scored a short handed marker and then finished off their scoring with a power play goal with less than four minutes remaining in the period while Sarnia's Mike Giroux was in the sin bin for holding. Even with a seven goal lead, the Rebels bench called a time out with 6.4 seconds remaining and when play had resumed, they had pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker. In the third period, Sarnia made a goaltender change to newly acquired Bobby Smith who shut the door on any further scoring by the Rebels. He came up big with some timely saves including three different one on none breakouts by Six Nations players. A shorter second bout took place with 2:30 remaining and squaring off were Randy Martin of Six Nations and Jimmy Purves of the Pacers. |
By the Numbers:
Full stats for this game can be found here. Back to scores |
| May 31/09 vs. Elora |
| It wasn't the outcome the Pacers were looking for -
another loss at home - but it was a game where they stayed close for the
most part thanks in part to some stellar goaltending by Bobby Smith.
Picking up the win for Elora was Dan Humphrey. Sarnia got into some trouble early in the game and it resulted in a power play goal for Elora. With the referee's arm up to signal a delayed penalty call, the Mohawks scored a goal that would negate half of the double minor for checking from behind that would Sarnia's Lance Ross in the sin bin. Elora struck for a second marker before the period was five minutes old and would take that two goal lead to the dressing room although they did try to get a third when they pulled their goalie for an extra attacker while 14 seconds remained on the clock. In the second stanza, Sarnia got on the board first to get to within one. Notching the goal at the 3:50 mark was Riley Thompson with an assist to Bobby Smith who made a smooth but rink-long pass to right to Thompson stick. Elora replied with one six minutes later and restored their tow goal lead. The Pacers would bulge the twine twice and actually tied the game at one point. It began with a power play goal off the stick of Mike Butler at 11:04 while the team enjoyed a power play chance. Picking up helpers were Riley Thompson and Kyle Jackson. Just under two minutes later Mike Butler bulged the twine much to the delight of the home town crowd and again assisting was Riley Thompson. It seemed that the Pacers took a breather and the Mohawks took that time to score two quick goals - just 63 seconds apart and again took a two goal lead into the dressing room. During the final 20 minutes of play the Pacers began to penetrate the "D" of Elora and even outshot the Mohawks this period but still found themselves outscored. With the teams playing four a side, Elora scored their sixth goal of the game. Another delayed penalty to Sarnia - tripping to Aaron Schieman - was indicated near the 16 minute mark but it was negated by another power play goal by Elora putting the game firmly out of reach for the Pacers. Sarnia did get another power play chance with just over two minutes to go and if they had scored one during that time, the momentum would have made an 180 degree turn. During the final seconds of the man advantage, Smith attempted to go to the bench a couple of times but only managed it the one time - for all of 23 seconds. Even with having 6 runners to 4, the Pacers could not get the ball behind Humphrey but once the teams were back to playing five runners a side, Jimmy Purves notched a final marker with 4 seconds left in the game, disappointment showing in his body that it was too little too late. |
By the Numbers:
Full stats for this game can be found here. Back to scores |
| June 2/09 In Windsor |
| It is doubtful that
anyone would accuse the Pacers of being poor visitors as the home team
has always won each road game played by Sarnia this season. Once
again the team played a man short to start and then lost Jimmy Purves
late in the second period for fighting. Windsor opened the scoring early, just 64 seconds in and had a two goal lead before Sarnia struck for their first - a short-handed marker by Lance Ross at the 15:06 mark while TJ Mara was off serving a slashing minor. The lone assist on the goal went to Jamie Schieman. Windsor restored their two goal lead with under two minutes to go but a four minute checking from behind minor to Rivait put the Pacers on the power play and they made short work of it. Notching the goal with 1:28 remaining was Jimmy Purves with assists to Kyle Jackson and Aaron Schieman. The second period began badly for the visiting Pacers as they saw Windsor reel off three quick goals in a span of 2:06 making the score 6-2 in favour of the home team. They increased their lead with a power play goal at the 13:39 mark while both teams had players in the sin bin for various offenses. Getting to cool off for at least five minutes each were Sokolowski of Windsor and Sarnia's Jamie Surman who had a bit of a scuffle at the 11:23 mark with Surman getting an extra two minutes for unnecessary roughness. Sarnia's specialty teams got the team back into the game, beginning with a Josh Yurchuk short-handed goal at 16:28 with helpers from Kyle Jackson and TJ Mara. Then Mike Butler struck with a goal of his own - an unassisted power play goal with just 36 seconds remaining in the period. In the final period, Sarnia opened the scoring at 1:36 as Josh Yurchuk bulged the twine with an assist picked up by Jimmy Purves. Mike Giroux's minor for illegal cross check at 7:07 led to another power play chance and goal for Windsor, who then extended their lead to four with their final marker at the 16:31 mark. Bout number two featured Rivait roughing it up with Sarnia's Jimmy Purves. Both received roughing minors and game misconducts - early showers for the two of them. Sarnia's Bobby Smith was pulled during the final minute of play and it resulted in a goal for Sarnia but it was too little too late again for the Pacers. Notching the goal with 36 seconds remaining was Kyle Jackson while Riley Thompson and Joe McKelvie picked up assists. |
By the Numbers:
Full stats for this game can be found here. Back to score |
| June 5/09 IN Guelph |
| YES! The Sarnia Pacers got a taste of victory on the
road Friday night at the hands of the Guelph Royals picking up just
their third win of the season while playing a short bench yet again.
It was a game of momentum shifts with each team having an opportunity to
lead but in the end Justin Matthews picked up the win for the
Pacers. The Pacers started out strongly opening with two goal just 59 seconds apart. The first, at the 3:04 mark, came off the stick of Kyle Jackson with an assist picked up by Joe Allison. An unassisted goal by Riley Thompson staked the visitors to a two goal lead. The Royals got one back 41 seconds later and it would remain a one goal differential until the 10:08 mark and Sarnia's Jimmy Purves bulged the twine for a Pacers goal while getting help from Kyle Jackson. The Royals responded with two markers of their own to notch the game at three apiece but Riley Thompson struck yet again and the Pacers found themselves taking a one goal lead to the dressing room after 20 minutes of play. Guelph stormed back into the game early, tying the game before the period was three minutes old and then took the lead just over four minutes later. It would be the only time in the game in which they would hold the lead. With 2:20 remaining, Jimmy Purves tied the game with an assist going to Riley Thompson. The teams went off the floor with the score notched at five each. It took over half a period before anything more was registered on the scoreboard and putting the visitors back into the lead at the 10:49 mark was Kyle Jackson who was assisted on the goal by Aaron Schieman and Chris Theoret. Almost three minutes later the Regal fans were given hope of a home win when Cazzola put one behind Matthews but the Pacers ruined that party exactly two minutes later. Scoring the winning goal was Jamie Schieman who put in a pass fed to him by Joe McKelvie. As much as the Regals pressed for the equalizer, nothing more was put on the scoreboard and the Pacers celebrated their first road win. The only penalties called in the entire game came during this period, offsetting minors for unsportsmanlike conduct at the 17:22 mark - quite a remarkable feat by both teams. |
By the Numbers:
Full stats for this game can be found here. Back to score |
| June 7/09 IN London |
| Make that two in a row for the Pacers - and both wins on the road.
WTG boys!
Picking up his FIRST win of the season as a
Pacer was Bobby Smith. It was not a great start for the visiting Pacers as they gave the Blue Devils an early power play opportunity when Chris Theoret was called for slashing just 72 seconds into the game. The Pacers weathered that minor storm and then went on a scoring spree. It began with a Lance Ross marker at the 5:16 mark and assisting in his own cause was Sarnia's goaltender Bobby Smith. At 9:57 Jimmy Purves stuffed the net with a marker and assists went to Chris Theoret and Bobby Smith. Making it 3-0 at the 15:37 mark was Joe Allison with help from Kyle Jackson and Adam Cobb. With 44 seconds remaining on the clock Joe Allison gave the visitors a four goal lead to take to the dressing room. The lone assist on the goal went to Jamie Surman. Getting a goal late in the period seemed to be the plan for this game. In the second period London pretty much dominated play and the scoring. They opened with their first of the game at just over the three minute mark, scored a short-handed marker close to the seven minute mark and then got a power play goal just over two minutes later while Sarnia's Chris Theoret was serving a minor for interference. The Pacers did dodge a bit of a bullet because London enjoyed a two man advantage for 24 seconds - Theoret joined team mate Jimmy Purves who was sent off for slashing. By the 12:13 mark London had notched the game at four each then went ahead for the first time in the game with just over two minutes left in the period. However Sarnia rained on that parade with a Jimmy Purves goal to tied the game at five each at the 19:10 mark. Again, just a single assist on the marker, this time to Adam Cobb. London seemed to have found some fire and opened the scoring to retake the lead just 43 seconds into this final frame. Jimmy Purves replied with an unassisted goal just over a minute later. The teams played up and down lacrosse for almost 10 minutes before anything on the scoreboard changed and it was a Sarnia goal at 11:21 off the stick of Aaron Schieman that gave Sarnia the lead again. Assist on the goal were Lance Ross and Jimmy Purves. Just a single penalty was taken this period and that was to Sarnia's Kyle Jackson near the 16 minute mark but again the PK units and Bobby Smith were successful. However exactly one minute after the penalty expired London tied up the game again. As the clock ticked down it appeared that the teams were headed to overtime - that is until Riley Thompson swished one past Snow with ONE SECOND remaining much to the disappointment of the Blue Devils fans. The lone assist on the winning goal - Mike Butler. |
By the Numbers:
Full stats for this game can be found here. Back to score |
| June 10/09 vs. Wallaceburg |
| Yes it's true, the Pacers have put together their longest win streak
since they reeled off four in a row to end their 2008 season. It
was a hotly contested game with the lead changes hands a few times but
in the end Sarnia's Justin Matthews picked up his 4th win of the
season. The Pacers got off to a slow and terrible start as has been the case in many a game. By the time the first period was over the visiting Red Devils had spotted themselves to a three goal lead with two of them coming on the power play. Sarnia had a glorious chance for a goal when Tye Belanger was found roaming out of his net and given a face plant to the floor by Jimmy Purves. The loose ball was scooped up by Dan Charlton but he shot the ball high and wide of the net. Sarnia clawed back into the game with a pair of power play goals - both before the period was five minutes old - to get themselves back into the hunt for the win. The first was a Mike Butler marker at 3:50 with assists to Kyle Jackson and Riley Thompson. Just 40 seconds later it was Chris Theoret swishing the net and again picking up assists were Kyle Jackson and Riley Thompson. Sarnia then found themselves on the penalty kill three different times over the next 10 minutes and with Aaron Schieman off for slashing, gave up a power play goal to the Red Devils who went into the dressing room with a two goal lead after this period was finished. Late in the period the Pacers took two penalties and found themselves playing two men short to end the second period and would begin the third that way too. The Pacers got more practice killing off penalties, taking two more and giving the Red Devils a full two minutes of five on three play at one point. However, it would be Sarnia who got on the board first. Bulging the twine at 9:16 was Jimmy Purves and helping was Lance Ross who made a nifty pass from his own end. Just 19 seconds later and the game was tied, courtesy of a Dan Charlton goal with an assist to Riley Thompson. Offsetting roughing minors were called to Lance Ross of Sarnia and to Kevin VanDamme who took an additional two minutes for slashing. While the teams played for a side for the first two minutes of the minors, Sarnia took the lead for the first time in the game on a Mike Butler goal while assists were picked up by Kyle Jackson and Aaron Schieman. The Pacers then went on the power play but instead gave up two short-handed goals - the first a result of a long feed from their goaltender to Chadd Murphy who made no mistake about stuffing it into the net at the 11:47 mark, then did it again 37 second later to give the Red Devils the lead once again while negating a delayed wrap-around minor to Sarnia's Lance Ross. Tying the game at six each was Jimmy Purves with 6:08 remaining with a single assist going to Lance Ross. The winning goal, off the stick of Riley Thompson came at the 16:50 mark and it whipped in so quickly and then back out again that some questioned if it actually went in -- it did and the referee signaled a goal much to the delight of the home town crowd. There were some breath-holding seconds as it seemed that the Red Devils had scored as the ball came down and seemed about to bounce in but not before Josh Yurchuk batted it safely out of the way and into the possession of one of his teammates, preserving the win. Wallaceburg did pull their goaltender with 26.9 seconds and stormed Sarnia's net but could not muster much. With a few seconds remaining on the clock Sarnia gained possession of the ball and with an empty net one of the players tried a tricky shot but missed it entirely but time expired as the shot came off the glass. |
By the Numbers:
Full stats for this game can be found here. Back to score |
| June 14/09 vs. Orangeville |
| Sarnia's three game winning streak came to abrupt halt this
afternoon as the Northmen from Orangeville were all over the Pacers for
the better part of of the game. Both starting goaltenders were
lifted during the game - Scott Robinson of Orangeville for being
third man in during a fight behind his net while getting the hook for
Sarnia was Bobby Smith. Orangeville opened the scoring with an early marker and Sarnia's Stevee General - yes, you read correctly - one of Sarnia's goaltenders notched the game at one each at the 6:41 mark with an assist to Josh Yurchuk. The Northmen responded with three unanswered goals over a six minute span and the final two goals were both short-handed. With approximately 25 seconds remaining in the period, Orangeville called a time out since they had ball possession, then pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker but the lone shot they took went wide of the net. They would take a 4-1 lead into the dressing room after 20 minutes of play. Opening the scoring for the second stanza was Orangeville again, this one coming at the 2:40 mark but Joe McKelvie swished one in just over four minutes later and again the Pacers trailed by three. Battle number one featured Sarnia's Chris Theoret who took on Rogers of Orangeville, a result of Rogers putting a high stick on Theoret. Picking up assists were Adam Cobb and Jimmy Purves. Next came a scoring show put on by the Northmen as they reeled off SIX consecutive goals and increased their lead to nine by period's end. Bout number two took place near the 14 minute mark and behind the net of the Orangeville's tender. Going at it were Bryan of the Northmen against Sarnia's Jimmy Purves but Robinson decided to enter the fray and earned himself an early exit to the showers. Taking up the duties of goaltending for Orangeville at this point was Curtis Rydall. That wasn't the end of the fighting for this period - one more bout took place and that came with 1:22 remaining and getting to leave for their dressing rooms early were Dempster of Orangeville and Aaron Schieman of the Pacers. The Pacers started out the this third period with something that seemed to be missing earlier on - the ability to penetrate the "D" and get some shots on goal from inside. However their first goal came on an unassisted shorthanded marker by Joe McKelvie at 3:57 while Jimmy Purves was off serving a minor for slashing. With Purves still in the sin bin, Jamie Surman was called for slashing at 4:55 and the Pacers dodged giving up anything during the time they were two men short. However, Orangeville did get the lone PP goal of the game while Surman was off, then picked up their final goal just over four minutes later to take a 10 goal lead. The Pacers refused to quit and at 15:41 Jimmy Purves bulged the twine with help from Joe McKelvie. The final goal of the game - an unassisted one by Riley Thompson - came with 1:59 remaining. With just under 13 seconds remaining, Sarnia called a time out and pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker but could add nothing more to the scoreboard. |
By the Numbers:
Full stats for this game can be found here. Back to score |
| June 17/09 vs. Windsor |
| A game that began with such promised finished with another loss at
home for the Pacers - their final game at Clearwater this season.
The Pacers opened the scoring with a power play goal just 47 seconds into the game on a Riley Thompson marker while Windsor's Hickey was off serving a double minor for slashing and and illegal cross check. Picking assists were Mike Butler and Joe McKelvie. Windsor replied with a power play goal of their own. With Stevee General of the Pacers off for slashing (yep, he was playing "out" this game again), Windsor got on the board with a goal at the 4:45 mark. Sarnia regained the lead - the last time they would have it - on a Jimmy Purves marker at 13:23 while Joe McKelvie and T.J. Mara picked up assists. Windsor would tie the game at the 7:05 mark and then score twice more before the period was over. They then reeled off three more to begin the second period including a short-handed goal. Sarnia got on the board with their third goal of the game off the stick of Josh Yurchuk with Stevee General and Jimmy Purves assisted at the 10:28 mark of the period. It appeared Sarnia got closer still but a disallowed goal was called due to the shooter being in the crease. Jamie Surman had a great one-on-none opportunity near the 13:03 mark but was stonewalled by Windsor tender Brendan Stevenson. Before the period concluded, Windsor reeled off two more goals to take a 9-3 lead to the dressing room. Sarnia called a time out with 24.1 seconds and when play resumed they had pulled their goaltender. Riley Thompson held the ball near the face off area for most of those 24 seconds and after he let go a shot, the rebound was captured by a Windsor player who took a shot on net that fortunately for the Pacer faithful bounced safely off the crossbar. During the final stanza, the Fratmen dominated the play and again opened the scoring. They got two more goals before Sarnia capitalized on their first power play. Sokolowski went off for high sticking and Sarnia's PP unit notched one. Scoring the goal at the 13:01 mark was T.J. Mara - his second of the game while assists went to Jimmy Purves and Riley Thompson. Cutting the lead to six with a Sarnia goal with 2:10 remaining was Jamie Surman while Adam Cobb picked up the sole assist. Windsor closed out the scoring with 1:35 remaining and sent home the Pacer faithful with a loss to end their season at home. |
By the Numbers:
Full stats for this game can be found here. Back to score |
| June 24/09 IN London |
| It was a depleted group of players that made the trek down the 402
to take on the Blue Devils with only 14 runners and 2 goalies taking to
the floor in London this night. The Pacers had beaten the Blue
Devils in each of their three matches earlier this season in games that
were settled by 2 or less goals. However, this night it was the
home team that would get the win with a full compliment of players and
allow themselves the opportunity to finish second in their division in
the Western Conference. London opened the scoring just before the game clock showed five minutes played. Sarnia replied with their lone goal of the period with a marker off the stick of Adam Cobb at the 14:07 mark with assists going to Jamie Schieman and Aaron Schieman. Just about 40 seconds later, Cobb went off to the sin bin for a slashing infraction and London regained the lead with a power play goal at the 15 minute mark and would take that 2-1 score to the dressing room. In the second stanza, a holding minor to the Blue Devils put the Pacers on the power play at the 2:17 mark and it took 36 seconds before the game was notched at two each when Chris Theoret bulged the twine. Assists were picked up by Adam Cobb and Jimmy Purves. London reeled off three unanswered goals before the period ended taking a 3 goal lead during the second intermission. Things didn't get too much better for the Pacers in the final period but they did keep trying to climb back beginning with a TJ Mara goal at 3:02 with help from Aaron Schieman and Chris Theoret. London replied with two quick goals by the 5:37 mark but Jimmy Purves got one of those back at the 6:38 on a nice feed from Chris Theoret. London notched another just over two minutes later to take a commanding 8-4 lead in the game. The only fight of the game came near the 10 minute mark and it would be Sarnia's Captain Chris Theoret taking on Tony Doxtater - each getting the mandatory five minutes in the sin bin to cool off. The Blue Devils would close out their scoring at the 17:35 mark but Sarnia would get one more and it came while they enjoyed the man advantage. A holding minor was given to Beavis with 47 seconds and making good on it was Mike Butler while Adam Cobb and Jimmy Purves picked up assists. |
By the Numbers:
Full stats for this game can be found here. Back to score |