Hockey recap: Lakeshore moves into first

The Lakeshore Canadiens have been the hottest team in the Provincial Junior Hockey League since mid-October and are now the top team following their 6-3 win in Blenheim Sunday night. Marco Sladoje scored a pair of goals and added an assist while Nick Bolton made 26 saves to help the Canadiens extend their win streak to 18 games.

With the victory Lakeshore now has 44 points (22-3) and take over the Stobbs division lead over Essex and league lead over the 73's, the Frankford Huskies and Woodstock Navy Vets who all have 43 points.

They'll host Amherstburg Friday and play in Wheatley Saturday afternoon before heading into the break.

The Essex 73's were in Mooretown Saturday night and played the Flags to a 5-5 tie. Essex held a 3-0 lead early in the second before Mooretown scored four unanswered goals to take a 4-3 lead. Kale Couvillon tied the game at 16:26 of the third and Karson Beuglet scored less than a minute later to give the 73's the lead. The Flags got one back with less than two minutes left but that's as close as they would get. Essex is off until Tuesday when Tony Piroski makes his return to the 73's bench as head coach against Walpole Island. The team skated with fans Sunday afternoon.

The Windsor Spitfires fired 50 shots at Carter George but needed a Valentin Zhugin shootout goal to bring home a 4-3 win Saturday night. Oliver Peer, Colton Smith and Ryan Abraham scored in regulation for Windsor who heads into the Christmas break having won six of their last ten games. The Spits return to action December 28th in Mississauga. They'll play in Saginaw on the 30th before hosting Sarnia December 31st at 2:05.

Jak Thiessen was the hero as the LaSalle Vipers beat the KW Siskins 4-3 Saturday with his 11th goal of the season. He now has seven goals in his last five games. Goaltender Tre Altiman turned aside 38 shots for his 14th win of the season. The Vipers are 20-7-1 for 41 points in the GOJHL's Western Conference. They have a four point lead over London and St. Mary's who both have a game in hand on LaSalle. The Vipers host Chatham Wednesday in their last game before the holiday break.

Darian Anderson scored a pair of goals to pace the Flyers as Leamington is in Toronto Sunday night to take on the Jr. Canadiens. The Flyers (20-9-4, 44 pts) are third in the West Conference behind Milton and Collingwood. Toronto (21-12-0-2, 44 pts) is third in the East. Leamington hosts Burlington Thursday at the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Complex before they head into the Christmas break.

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