AMHERST – Kody Orr’s second period power play goal proved to be the winner as the Amherst Ramblers defeated the Weeks Crushers 3-1 in Maritime Junior Hockey League action here Saturday.
Orr was left alone in front of the net and picked up Cam McDonald’s rebound on a shot from the point 6:08 into the second period.
“The guys played a good game, we capitalized on the chances that we had and we played a physical game,” Ramblers coach Jim Bottomley said following the game. “We came at these guys hard. I was pleased with the way we played.”
Amherst added an insurance goal with just under five minutes to play when Jamie Bishop’s blast from the top of the circle eluded Crushers’ goalie Brandon Thibeau. Maxime Richard and Ben Berisha added assists on the goal that came during a five-minute power play after Brennan Saulnier was assessed a major penalty for checking from behind when he hit Richard from behind into the boards into the board near the Crushers’ bench.
“It was a bad penalty to take at that point in the game. It was a treat for us, though,” Bottomley said. “We were able to score a big goal. That took a lot of pressure off us.”
Amherst opened the scoring 10:28 into the first period when Ryan Caswell scored with Mitch O’Neil adding an assist.
Bruce Hornbrook tied the game 3:10 into the second period taking a feed from Saulnier on a two-on-one and beating Ramblers’ goalie Richard Tingley.
Amherst outshot the Crushers 29-26.
“It would be nice to score some more goals, but we’re keeping the goals against down,” Bottomley said. “The work ethic is there.”
Tingley said he was pleased with how the team played in front of him all night.
“It was a good game. The boys played well all around,” Tingley said. “We played a very physical game and the guys kept the front of the net clear and let me see the shots.”
Amherst plays in Bridgewater on Sunday. Game time is 5:45 p.m.
The Ramblers are in Summerside on Friday to face the Western Capitals, before returning home on Saturday to face the Lumberjacks.
