You can’t always expect good things to come out of Ottawa. Usually high taxes and low standards are all you can hope for. But the Arthur Juvenile Vipers got a bonus from the nations capital as Taylor Kramp returned home from Carleton University for reading week and between books managed to score big time in two weekend wins over Shallow Lake as the Vipers swept the best of three playoff series.
Friday night at home Taylor’s hat trick plus a single from Matt Byne gave the locals a 4-1 lead going into the third but the Lakers realizing the situation they were in, kicked it into high gear and stormed back with a vengeance. Trailing 4-3 in the final minute and on the power play they buzzed the net only to be frustrated by solid Viper penalty killing and some good saves from goalie Tim Wright.
Saturday in Shallow Lake it was the Vipers turn to find overdrive as they scored a convincing 8-0 win. Taylor and Tevin Sallans were hot complimented offensively by Andy Culp, Luke Raftis and Josh Wilson. Not to be lost in scoring binge was a dominating performance by third line youngsters Matt Byne, Jordan Kramp and Scott Harwood whose smothering forecheck kept the Lakers hemmed in their own end for minutes at a time. Tap on the back to defencemen Ty Wilson, Curtis Dullard, Matt Culp and Dave O’Donnell whose excellent work, combined with Matt Shearer’s shutout goaltending frustrated the Lakers throughout.
Next on the list is the WOAA final versus either Mildmay or Milverton, who are battling it out for a chance to take on the Vipers. It probably won’t start till the weekend after next. Stay tuned for details.
Juvenile Jive: This is has been too…long…coming. It’s time to pay homage to the dean of Arthur Sports Writing, Gerald Townsend, my hero and Champion of Butter Tarts. For years he combined the two most important things in life, hockey and baking, for the good of human kind to inspire our community. In Shallow Lake at the food booth, they had tarts for $.25, which I enjoyed greatly. Two bits for a thrill, a loonie to take you half way to diabetes. Next time we head that way I’ll give you a call Gerry. It’s your kind of town buddy, and mine too.