PEEWEE B

It is balanced scoring that is the mark of a solid hockey team.

It is balanced scoring that keeps opponents up at night.

And, thus far, it is balanced scoring that is the calling card of the Jamestown Lakers.

Going into the season, the coaches were concerned about just who it would be that would score with regularity. However, if this past weekend was any litmus test, the staff needn’t worry.

On Sunday, the Lakers made their first road trek of the season to Niagara University to play the Junior Purple Eagles. The Lakers emerged from the tussle with a 6-3 victory and a scoresheet that featured nine different players registering points.

First-time travel player Brandon Smith notched the first goal of his career to get the Lakers started after taking a pass from Solomon Wolf. After a quick Eagles response tied it, Chase Kartesz buried a beautiful Kameron Press pass to regain the lead. Kartesz then used a long neutral zone pass from Gavin Smith to create a breakaway chance. He made no mistake, giving the Lakers a 3-1 advantage at the first intermission.

Displaying a growing chemistry with his center, Brandon Smith returned the favor and found Solomon Wolf camped in the slot for a one-timer that found the cage for the lone goal of the second period.

Entering the third, the Lakers wanted to focus on continuing to play hard. Payton Daniels, another player new to the game, notched his first career goal after a wild scramble in front of the net. Linemates Carson Winsor and Jackson Kresge created the opportunity for this milestone with their efforts. The Eagles would make it 5-2 on a laser blast over goalie Lexi Beckerink’s shoulder, but Kresge would stifle any thoughts of a comeback with a dagger on a breakaway with just three minutes left. The Lakers would surrender a third goal with 1:24 to play to create the final 6-3 score.

A notable effort was put in by Connor Degnan, who put his body on the line in blocking two shots on one shift, fought through a bruise to the knee, and battled in the corner so hard that at one point, his facemask had to be disentangled with that of one of the Purple Eagles.

The Lakers will seek to strengthen their hold on first place at home on Saturday at 11:50 a.m. against the Depew Saints.