Langton Lions win Game 3 in OT
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Langton Lions Club novices got the win they needed in Thamesford Sunday afternoon to bring the OMHA DD championship series back to Langton Wednesday night for Game 4.
"We got the early goal we wanted, and we needed it." said Langton novice rep hockey coach Kevin Vanacker.
"Overall, the whole team played well this game. And that's what it takes for us to win these games, for all the kids to be 'on.'"
Thamesford had taken 3-0 first-period leads in the first two games of the six-point OMHA DD finals, and Langton's coaches were stressing the importance of a quick start and early shots Sunday in Game 3.
Alex Deroo scored twice giving the Lions 1-0 and 2-1 leads. Thamesford came back both times to tie it up, but the Leafs prevailed in OT with a goal from defenceman Bayden Swain.
"It was about three or minutes in – he took a shot from out a ways," said Vanacker. "Just trying to put it on net, like we've been telling the kids. The goalie had his paddle down to stop it – his blocker and stick down – but it hit the stick, rolled over, and kept going in.
"It was huge for us. They (Thamesford) are a good hockey team, so for us to pull off a win against them... it was good. Now that they're coming back to Langton, I think that's a good thing for us. Again, we've got to play our best game – every time – to give ourselves a chance to beat these guys."
The puck is scheduled to drop Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Langton Arena.
Game 4 in the six-point series, if necessary, is Thursday in Thamesford. If it continues to a fifth and deciding game, the series will continue in Langton next Saturday (March 29) at 7:30 p.m. following the Norfolk Oldtimer Hockey League Championship Day.