Stamps ride win streak into playoffs

 Medeiros goal lifts Parkside to a game one win over East Elgin

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

By Rob J. Ross 

AYLMER, ON. - The Parkside Stampeders are riding a wave of momentum into the playoffs.

Jordan Medeiros scored the lone goal on an early first period power play, as the Stampeders blanked the East Elgin Eagles, 1-0, in game one of their best of three game Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) South East boys' hockey quarter-final, at the East Elgin Community Complex.

Winless in the first half of the regular season, the Stampeders reeled off four consecutive victories, to finish at 4-3-1.

"We had injuries and guys away for whatever reason earlier in the year so we struggled," Parkside head coach Jamie Fife said. "We got our line-up back together and that's what led to our winning streak."

Parkside tied and lost to East Elgin early in the season, but during their streak, handed Glencoe, first in the South, their only loss of the season.

Make it now five wins, with Reece Carroll picking up the shutout between the pipes.

"We took advantage of our power play early and they didn't take advantage with their power play later on, so that's really what it ultimately came down too. Reece played solid in net and their goalie played solid in net," Fife said. "It was a bit of a sloppy game. The stoppage makes it hard to play again, but the kids stuck with it. We played with a thin line-up."

The game was delayed for 30 minutes following an injury to Parkside forward Blake Willmore, who collided awkwardly behind the Stampeders' net, midway through the second period. Willmore, suffering in much pain, was taken from the ice by ambulance, later diagnosed with a dislocated patella, but no structural damage.

The Stampeders also lost Medeiros, to an injury, during the same stoppage, forcing Fife to spread ice time over his shortened bench.

"A lot guys stepped up, logging a lot of minutes. Our key veterans like Myles Carlson, Derek Cummings and Pete Vanderwyst were the guys," said Fife. "Steve Hartle, our grade nine defenceman played a ton of time. As a grade nine D in this league, it's not always a simple thing."

The Eagles pressed in the third but couldn't produce the equalizer.

"Started slow. We were working hard for the second half of the game, but had no puck luck," Eages head coach Chris Wismer said.  "The teams are equally matched so one play could decide every game.  They scored on the PP and we didn't and that was the difference."

Game two goes at Memorial Arena in St. Thomas, Monday, February 12. Game three, if required, returns here, on Valentine's Day.

Glencoe, the South Division's top team, with a 5-1-2 regular season meets the West Elgin Wildcats, in another best of three game quarter-final, starting February 12.