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Date: Jan 23, 2012

Vets win 2 of 3 games on weekend

When the playoffs begin, the Woodstock Navy Vets will be leaving the baggage at home.

The post-season is still two weeks away, but Woodstock ensured it won’t bring with it another long losing streak after winning two of three weekend games.

The Navy Vets snapped an eight-game skid Friday with a 3-2 win over the Aylmer Spitfires. Derek Cowing scored twice and recent addition Michael Roefs picked up his first victory as the Navy Vets won for the first time in 2012.

“It was awesome,” Roefs, who joined the team at the OHA player movement deadline from Junior B St. Thomas, said afterwards. “I loved it. Nothing ever feels like a win in a new place. To get that win boosts your confidence. The guys helped out too.”

Roefs’ win came in his second start as the Navy Vets will carry three goalies (Jack Moylan and Casey Scheltema) the rest of the season. His biggest save was on a Mike Lynch penalty shot midway through the second period. The 18-year-old from Ingersoll wasn’t here for the 16-game losing streak to start the season, or the beginning of the team’s seven-game slide, but he’s confident the Navy Vets are capable of beating anyone come playoffs.

“A few wins here and there gets you going, and you never know,” he said. “The team starts building together and comes together as one, you never know what will happen.”

Christian Crossett scored the game winner early in the third period to give Woodstock a 3-1 lead at the time. Curtis Roloson and Trevor Stewart replied for Aylmer.

Woodstock split a pair of games in Paris to close the weekend.

On Saturday, Christian Crossett scored with 56 seconds left in the third period to lift the Navy Vets to a 4-3 win. Chris Gilders scored shorthanded 8:16 into the first period to give Woodstock an early lead. The teams traded goals the rest of the way until Crossett’s dramatic tally in the final minute to win the game. Dylan Lazarus and Kyle Robertson also scored for Woodstock, which was outshot 38-35. Moylan made 35 saves for the win.

On Sunday, the Mounties scored twice in the first period and, after allowing the Navy Vets to tie the game in the third period, buried the winner at 10:15 of the final frame.

Dylan Lazarus, on the power play, and Mike Gillespie, with his first goal in six games with Woodstock, scored for the visitors. Roefs stopped 42 of 45 shots, while Woodstock fired 46 shots at a pair of Paris goaltenders.

Woodstock (8-25-1) will finish in last place for the second straight season and will play New Hamburg in the first round of the playoffs if the Firebirds choose not to take the bye.

 

By Cory Smith Sentinel-Review

corysmith@bowesnet.com

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