Lancers end Dolphins' two year reign

  Lambeth blanks Dorchester 5-0 in game five to win PJHL Yeck Division title

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

By Rob J. Ross 

LAMBETH, ON. - The Dorchester Dolphins' reign is over.

The Lambeth Lancers are the new kings of the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) Yeck Division, after blanking the Dolphins, 5-0, here in game five of the championship series.

Donny Manzara, with two goals, including the winner, Ray Robbins, Mitchell Jenner and Chase St. Aubin scored.

The Lancers scoring twice in a 42-second span while shorthanded early second period, proved the pivotal point in the game. Instead of potential 1-1 game, Lambeth suddenly led 3-0.

"That was tough, giving up two shorthanded goals," Dolphins' head coach Tim Flynn said. "We didn't have it tonight. They (Lambeth) did a good job of keeping us out. They weren't worried about hitting anyone with a pass. They just wanted to get the puck out of the zone and we couldn't get there fast enough. It worked for them tonight. We had to dump the puck with a purpose and we didn't do that."

Manzara gave Lambeth a 1-0 lead mid first period, with the first of his two goals. His second, early third period, sunk the Dolphins.

Dorchester created scoring opportunities but the power play was a failure, going zero for seven and giving up those shorties.

"A couple crappy bounces. Three or bounces that don't go your way, but that's hockey. We've all gone through it. We just happen to go through it in the final of a division championship," said forward Lucas Wilson, who led all scorers in the playoffs with 25 points, on 12 goals and 13 assists. "They (Lancers) have a good hockey team. They played well. They worked hard and got some good bounces. They scored a handful of goals in the series off bad bounces."

Lancers' goalie Zack Weir made 23 saves for the shutout, including stops on Wilson, Brent House and Dylan Buckholz.

"Their goaltender stood on his head," said Flynn.

The Dolphins are upset but it's not all due to losing the final.

Lancers' Kyle Hunter received a game misconduct for head contact in game five and later was given a four game suspension, stemming from a dangerous hit on Buckholz.

The Dolphins believe another Lancer, pointing to Robbins, should have been suspended after knocking out defenceman Jaden Glew in game one and then captain Tim Pieper in game three. Both Dolphins were lost for the remainder of the series due to concussions. There were no penalties called on either play.

The Dolphins also allege Lambeth got away with using two extra players under the league's drop down rule.

The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) launched a "drop down player policy" last July, for the 2017/18 season, a three-year pilot rule in place to limit PJHL (Jr. C) teams to registering only four players, 19 years and older, who have dropped down from a higher league (Jr. B, Jr. A), having previously played, or been registered for two seasons. The rule does not apply to affiliate players.

"We fought it and fought it and the league let them get away with it. We're not happy about that. We're still going fight it. Everybody in the league is upset about it. They found a loop-hole and made a travesty of the rule," Flynn said. "Technically they had six drop down players. We sent out a protest, after the first game (final). They (league) took a week to get back to us. We're going to take it to the OHF."

Whatever the feedback from the OHF (Ontario Hockey Federation), it won't change the outcome of the Yeck final.

"I guarantee it (rule) won't be like that next year but it doesn't help us now. It's unfortunate," said Flynn.

Dorchester had won the previous two Yeck titles and three of the past four. The Dolphins have reached the Yeck final in each of their six seasons in the league, with a series record now at 3-3.

Wilson, Glew, goalie Riley Brown and forward Zach Robertson, graduate from the junior ranks.

The Dolphins thank these players for their dedication and contribution to the team and wish them well in their futures. Wilson leaves as one the Dolphins' top 10 all-time scorers, while Brown leads almost every team goaltender category.

Lambeth defenceman Nate Frisbee win his second consecutive Yeck title. The 19-year old was traded to Lambeth by Dorchester in January.

The Lancers advance to the PJHL West conference series, a Schmalz Cup quarterfinal, against the Lakeshore Canadiens.

Lakeshore ended a streak themselves, upending the Essex 73's in the Stobbs Division final, snapping a run of six consecutive titles by the 3's.