AMHERST - The CIBC Wood Gundy Fundy Phantoms got off to a rough start in their opening weekend, being outscored 52-3 in the three games they played.
They lost 13-0 in their home opener against the Oxford Colts Friday night at Amherst Stadium and then, during their home-and-home stand against the Chester Clippers, they lost by scores of 18-1 in Saturday in Chester and 21-2 Sunday afternoon at Amherst Stadium.
Scoring for Fundy in their 18-1 loss was Alex Matthews, with the assist going to Josh Daley-Gilfoy. Goaltender Ian White faced 52 shots.
Box scores were not available for the 21-2 loss, but in the 13-0 loss to the Colts, Justin Farrow and Jordan Duggan each scored a hat trick for the Colts.
"We dominated them for three periods and it's a shame we can't get together and combine our teams," said Colts coach Paul Atkinson.
"When we go down to the city teams, those teams have a lot more kids to choose from and if our two teams in this area were combined, we'd have a much more competitive all-around team," Atkinson added. "Even though we have a competitive team in Oxford, there is no doubt in my mind that when we do play the tougher teams that we'd do better if they the two teams were combined."
The Colts lost 13-2 to the Eastern Shore Jr. Mariners on Saturday in Musquodoboit, and Atkinson said they need to improve their conditioning if they hope to compete.
The score was 2-1 after the first period, 6-2 after the second, and it was in the third that the Mariners put the game far out of reach.
"The conditioning really showed in the third period and the Mariners used their skill and speed and we could stay with them for only two periods," he said.
Andrew Barron and Jason Fauville scored for the Colts.
"They've been on the ice and played approximately five more games than we have," Atkinson said. "And they're Atlantic champions and most of their team is back, so we knew we were up against a very good team."
The Colts have the exact same schedule they had last weekend.
Friday night they travel to Amherst to play the Phantoms. Game time is 9 p.m., and then on Saturday they're on the road against the Jr. Mariners.
