Head coach Justin Durston said it is gut check time for the Wallaceburg Red Devils, after dropping two non-divisional games on the weekend in Ontario Junior ‘B’ Lacrosse Association action.
Orangeville Northmen 6, Red Devils 5
The Red Devils (5-3-1) led the defending Founders Cup champions on Sunday afternoon through the first two periods, but were held scoreless in the third as Orangeville (8-1-0) scored three times to come from behind in a 6-5 win.
Durston told the Sydenham Current he was disappointed in the loss.
“Arguably the best team in Junior ‘B’ right now… we were better than them through two periods,” Durston told the Sydenham Current.
“The third period, obviously we just let it slip. We couldn’t catch a break. We took a couple of penalties that kept us in our defensive zone. The whole third period we were in our defensive zone and when we did get the ball on offense, we threw the ball away. We need to be a lot better at taking care of the ball come the third period, actually over the course of the whole game, we’ve got to be better with the ball.”
Durston said he is questioning some of his players motivation.
“There is a couple of guys they really need to figure out why they are here,” Durston said.
“Are they here for the team? Or are they here for themselves? If they are here for themselves, then it’s not going to work for all of us.”
Durston added: “We’re going to go over game film. The players need to see the game film and see things that we’re trying to point out to them and once they see it, it will hold them a little more accountable.”
Tyler Brown led the way for Wallaceburg with a 5-point day, scoring 3 goals and adding 2 assists.
Tyler Davis and Carter Hastings each had 1 goal and 1 assist.
Noble Jacobs made 40 saves in the loss.
A total of 350 fans packed into Wallaceburg Memorial Arena for the Mother’s Day contest on Sunday.
Owen Sound North Stars 5, Red Devils 4
Hastings, Brown, Kyle Dawson and Justin Scheuneman scored the only goals for Wallaceburg on Saturday in Owen Sound.
Jacobs made 51 saves in the loss.
“We had scoring chances, but we hit the goalie a lot,” Durston said.
“We have to be helping each other out, and playing for one another. Right now, things are not going our way.”
Wallaceburg is now in second place in the Far West Division, behind the Windsor Clippers who have the same same total points with 11, but in two fewer games. The Clippers also hold a better head-to-head record against Wallaceburg this season, beating them once and tying them in the other match-up.
The Red Devils will look to rebound on Thursday, May 18, when they host the London Blue Devils.
The ball drops at 8 p.m. at Wallaceburg Memorial Arena.
Here are some photos from Sunday’s game against Orangeville:
– Photo credit: Aaron Hall
