AMHERST – The Amherst CIBC Wood Gundy Ramblers welcomed the Woodstock Slammers to the Amherst Stadium Saturday night in Junior A Minor Hockey action.
After a tense back and forth, the Ramblers brought in a 2-1 win.
Brock Morrison, assisted by Maxime Richard and Ben Berisha, brought in the first goal of the night and the only goal for the first period. The Ramblers held their early lead, scoring their second goal, 5:01 into the second period, scored by Danny Harquail with Berisha and Kody Orr earning assists. The Ramblers second and final goal of the game helped give them the win as the Woodstock Slammers only scored one goal by Steve Gillard, assisted by Carlos Amestoy and Robbie DeFulvils.
“We played a good playoff style game tonight,” said Ramblers coach Jim Bottomley. “We started off slow, they took the hitting to us but as soon as we got involved and got physical, it changed the game.”
Bottomley was pleased with the defensive line during the game and said they were utilizing some of the tips they were given from former NHL’er Paul Boutilier.
“They were doing some of the things he was talking about,” he said. “I know coach Ripley was on them all the time back there to shut them down. I was pleased with that effort.
“I thing did we was that we weren’t used to playing hard-nose hockey and digging it out. They got off their game when the going got a little rough.”
Goalie Richard Tingley was on his game Saturday night, making 41 saves out of the 42 shots taken. Unfortunately, during their practice, the goalie had a bit of a rough start, taking a hard hit to the mid section, but the minor injury didn’t stop him from performing.
“It was a bit of a stinger,” he said. “I just shook it off. It was a good all around game. I felt good tonight, that’s all that counts. I started the game off early with a few good saves so, I feel good and was cruising along.”
The Ramblers return to action Tuesday night when they travel to Dartmouth for their away game against the Metro Shipbuilders. The team returns for their home game next Saturday against the Yarmouth Mariners.
jturner@amherstdaily.com
