Jaden Switzer looks on during a faceoff at the Komoka Wellness Centre. Photo by Graeden Wurster.
By: Riley Gillespie-Wilson
Coming off a tough 7-1 loss to the St. Mary’s Lincolns last weekend, it was important for the Komoka Kings to get the offence going during a road game Saturday night in Strathroy.
Kings forward Morgan Paine certainly did his part in that department. Paine would bury twice throughout the contest, good enough for his ninth goal of the season.
The Kings found themselves in a 2-1 hole after the opening period, however. The lone Komoka goal-scorer was newcomer David Heath.
Komoka made an effort to rally in the third, scoring twice, but an explosive night offensively for the home Rockets proved too much to overcome. The Kings fell 6-5 in Strathroy.
Goaltender Owen Bienstman made 30 saves despite taking the loss.
Playing Hard Against the Defending Champs
The next night it was back home to the Wellness Centre where the Kings would host a red hot Cambridge Redhawk group. The Redhawks entered action 8-1 and boasted a +32 goal differential throughout that stretch.
After a tight-checking first period during which the Kings had a slight edge in the shot-on-goal department, it was Komoka getting on the board first in period number two.
Who else but Morgan Paine? Double digits now for the Kings’ leading scorer. Paine was able to roof home his tenth of the campaign after forcing a turnover in Cambridge ice. He came off the left wall and made no mistake to make it 1-0.
The Redhwaks would respond quickly and take the lead by the end of the second frame.
Komoka battled hard down the stretch but eventually after pulling this game’s starter Brian Rathwell, an empty-net-goal from Micah Della Croce would seal their fate in this one.
The Kings now sit at 4-8, and look ahead to their lone game next weekend.
Up Next
A familiar foe will come Komoka way for that tilt next Saturday, October 17th. The Kings are set to host the Lincolns. Puck drop is set for 7:15 p.m.
