Flyers wrap up first place with help from Kings

By C. Scott Holland

LEAMINGTON — The whirlwind last week of regular season play was certainly full of surprises as all playoff positions were determined except for the top spot.

A Friday night battle between Leamington and London would have bearings on that, as well as two other games London had to play.

Heading into last Wednesday’s game in La- Salle, the Flyers were getting ready to wrap up first but the Vipers derailed that and sent the Flyers into a couple of must-win contests if they wanted to claim first.

The Vipers doubled the Flyers 6-3 before the Flyers returned home to drub the Strathroy Rockets 7-1 in front of the largest crowd of the season at 910.

Next was a Friday night showdown between London and Leamington that the Flyers lost by a 6-1 score. That left the Flyers waiting to see whether the Nationals would lose to either Komoka on Saturday or LaSalle on Sunday.

In Wednesday’s game, the Flyers fell into a prolonged defensive lapse and came out of the first period down 4-1. Gavin Grundner had the Flyers first-period goal.

In the second, Jack Cotter slotted a goal to cut the score, and early in the third, Grundner notched his second of the contest to pull the Flyers to within one.

However, the Flyers couldn’t rally and gave up an insurance goal then an empty-net tally to fall 6-3. Boe Piroski suffered the loss in net.

The Leamington Flyers honoured their graduating players at Thursday’s game in Leamington. From left are Ryan Polidori, Adam Jeffery, Colton O’Brien and Wyatt O’Neil.

Scott Holland photo

On Thursday in Leamington, the Flyers outplayed the Rockets in their final home game of the regular season.

Prior to the drop of the puck, the team honored their four graduating players – Adam Jeffery, Colton O’Brien, Wyatt O’Neil and Ryan Polidori – and saluted the Rockets’ graduating players as well.

“We rebounded well after last night’s loss in LaSalle, “ said head coach Dale Mitchell. “We knew we needed to have a good start, especially in front of a large crowd.”

It didn’t take the Flyers long to assert a lead they would never relinquish.

Call-up Jaxen Fortier-Smith lit the lamp two minutes into the game with help from fellow AP player Anthony Ciaramitaro and Jack Cotter.

Shortly after that, Ryan McPherson banged home a rebound off the sticks of Connor McPherson and Ryan Clark.

Then midway through the first, Connor McPherson took a pass from Wyatt O’Neil and sent it home for a 3-0 Flyers’ lead after one.

In the second, O’Neil scored one of his own with help from O’Brien and Clark. Cale Couvillon got in on the fun early in the period as he deposited the work of Darby Lemieux and Cotter.

The Rockets scored their lone goal late in the period to make the score 5-1.

In the third, Lemieux scored early, from Jason Draiche and Cotter’s second of the night sealed the deal at 7-1. The Flyers chased Rockets’ starter Tyler Bouck in favour of Chazz Nixon, who didn’t fare any better.

The Rockets’ frustration erupted at 10:15 when a boarding penalty was called on Connor Mc- Cracken and a scuffle occurred. Two players from each side were handed roughing and 10-minute misconduct penalties.

Mitchell was pleased with the play of call-ups Fortier-Smith and Ciaramitaro.

“We knew they had a good connection since they were partners on the Windsor U18 team,” he said. “It was nice to see Jaxen’s first goal tonight. That’s always special and well deserved.”

On Saturday night the standings were finalized as the Komoka Kings topped London 3-2 and vaulted Leamington into sole possession of first place.

The Flyers will start playoffs by hosting the Strathroy Rockets for game one on Thursday, April 7 at 7:10 pm.

Remaining first round schedule:

Sat. April 9 at Strathroy, 7:30 pm.

Sun. April 10 at Leamington, 4:10 pm.

Tues. April 12 at Strathroy, 7:30 pm.

Thurs. April 14 at Leamington, 7:30 pm, if necessary.

Sat. April 16 at Strathroy, 7:30 pm, if necessary.

Sun. April 17at Leamington, 2:10 pm, if necessary.