The Sugar Kings’ spirited run continued with a gritty performance against the Brantford Golden Eagles on Sunday night. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to keep their six-game winning streak alive.
Elmira fell 3-0 to the GOJHL’s top team, but the game was a lot closer than the final score would indicate.
Aside from Josh McQuade’s empty-netter with 13 seconds to go, there was no scoring after the first period in what turned out to be a fast-paced, physical battle.
Brantford’s Chris Dunham kicked off the scoring three minutes into the game and Matt Hill put the visitors up 2-0 with two minutes to go in the opening frame. After that, goaltending and special teams were the order of the night.
Both teams had plenty of chances, but their penalty kills were strong as they went a combined 0-for-13 on the power play. Elmira’s best chance came at the end of the second period when Brantford took three penalties in the final three minutes, at one point giving the Kings a three-man advantage they couldn’t convert on.
Of course, goals are always at a premium when goaltenders are standing on their heads. Such was the case in this one as both stoppers shone between the pipes, stopping barrage after barrage of shots.
Eagles goalie Daryl Borden stopped 32 shots for his seventh shutout of the season and Elmira netminder Brandon Gorecki turned in yet another strong performance in this one, stopping 32 shots of his own in the loss.
Defenceman Kody Ellis tried to get the crowd going in the second period, engaging Brantford’s Ryan Moore in a fight after Moore drove him hard into the boards. The fight, won by Ellis, drew loud applause from the home fans and earned both players a game misconduct.
McQuade and Myles Micallef also added assists for the Eagles.
Elmira’s next game is in Waterloo on Friday night, while Brantford hosts Listowel on Saturday.