Jacks go 1-1-1 in three-game stretch

The Applejacks made up for lost time after a week off with three games, winning 4-3 against Delhi in their first, losing 5-4 in their second and battling with Hagersville for a disappointing 5-2 loss on Wednesday night.

Anything can happen in a shootout as the Wellesley Applejacks well know after two such home games last weekend. They were back on the ice defeating Delhi in Saturday’s shootout and losing a close game to Tavistock on Sunday, their first two matches after a week.

November was tough for the Jacks, who were missing more than half of their players by the end, but still managed to win eight of the month’s games. The rest did players some good but there are always drawbacks to a little holiday time.

“We did pretty well. We got four points so you have to be happy with that – it’s pretty exciting for the fans,” said head coach Kevin Fitzpatrick of Saturday’s game.

On Saturday, Wellesley’s Patrick Weijak potted the first goal at 0:59. Delhi took their time answering while defending against an onslaught from the Jacks who tallied 15 shots on net in the period, earning them another goal by Weijak.

Heading into the second frame down 2-1, Delhi stepped up their offensive game, outshooting Wellesley 17-9, yet it was Wellesley’s Reid Denstedt who scored first in at 11:42 before Delhi’s Brad Ward could shorten Wellesley’s lead to 3-2 by scoring at 12:40.

Feeling the pressure, the Jacks fought to stay ahead but spotted a tying goal to Delhi at 7:47 into the third period before heading into overtime and finally winning it 4-3 in a shootout.

Sunday’s game presented the Jacks with strong opponents and the team fought hard to defend their net with seven players still off the ice due to injuries and illness. Tavistock outshot the boys 43- 31, earning the final goal in a shootout.

Wellesley gave away the first two goals of the game at 2:08 and 8:59 and failed to answer in the first frame.

The Jacks evened things up in the second frame, however, with three consecutive goals. Troy Williams scored at 5:25, followed by Coleton Madge at 11:48 and Josh Herd at 18:54 to give the Jacks a 3-2 lead by the time each team headed to their respective rooms.

The third frame was precarious for both teams as they tried to get ahead by just one point. Tavistock took the next goal at 2:33, tying the game at 3-3. With six minutes to go in the match, Wellesley’s Luke Rose would make the score a hopeful 4-3 in his team’s favour but Tavistock would find the back of the net at 19:36 and send the game into overtime, eventually winning 5-4 in the shootout.

Facing Hagersville on Wednesday, the Jacks had a sense of déjà vu: having fallen to the Hawks four times this season, this game was no different.

The visitors drew first blood just 2:04 in. Wellesley got that one back quickly, when Cody Tapsell scored at 3:11, assisted by Taylor Doering and Herd. The only bright spot came nine minutes later, when Troy Williams gave the Jacks their only lead, which would hold up until late in the second. At that point Hagersville potted a pair, taking a 3-2 lead into the second intermission.

The only goals of the third came off the Hawk sticks, sealing a 5-2 victory.

Despite the loss, both coaches and fans were pleased with the on-ice effort.

“I give full marks for these guys for work ethic,” Fitzpatrick said.

On the road Thursday night in Ayr, the Jacks are home Saturday night to face the Burford Bulldogs. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

The holiday break is a short one for Wellesley, which continues a home stand with games against Ayr (Dec. 29), Delhi (Dec. 30), Tavistock (Jan. 2) and Delhi again (Jan. 4).