Sharks come up short in two games

By Greg Coulter

WHEATLEY — Despite icing two of their best efforts of the season, the Wheatley Omstead Sharks came up short in two games last week. Wednesday against Amherstburg, the locals controlled much of the play and held a wide margin on the shot clock only to be repeatedly stymied by the opposition netminder.

Tied after the first and second periods, the Sharks gave up two early third-period markers en route to a heartbreaking 5-4 loss.

The Admirals made the most of their limited scoring opportunities and despite the loss, Jackson Ford was very solid in the Wheatley net. Shannon Olson (third star) led the way with two goals, while Dallas Anderson and Braedon Caetano added singles.

Sharks’ Goaltender Jackson Ford sprawls across the goalmouth to thwart a breakaway in the third period against Amherstburg last Wednesday.

Friday night against undefeated Lakeshore, the Sharks came within a whisker of being a spoiler before bowing 4-3. Skating stride for stride and shot for shot, the locals were just a bounce away from edging out a victory. They held leads of 1-0 and 2-1 but as they have found out in previous games, the top tier opposition pounce on even the smallest of errors.

The Sharks’ undoing was a four-minute span late in the second period, coughing up three goals. They traded markers in the third and despite a gallant effort they could not get the equalizer.

Ethan Carlone stood tall in the net. Braedon Caetano continued his goal streak notching two, while Devin St. Pierre added a single.

Despite the setbacks, the coaching staff remains confident in the team’s ability to get to the next level.

“We had several chances to break the game wide open on Wednesday, but were stymied by a hot goaltender,” they said. “Friday, we committed two bad breakdowns and had a unfortunate bounce that caused us to give up three goals.”