On Saturday the Niagara Lock Monsters kicked off their season against the Barrie Blizzard.
The Blizzard got this game going as Geoff Mcnulty scored to give the Blizzard the early 1-0 lead. Niagara would respond as last year’s league MVP Corey Fowler scored to tie the game up at 1-1. The Blizzard would then take control as they scored four straight goals to take the lead 4-1 at the end of the first period.
In the second period Tyler Gibbons added to Barrie’s lead as he found the back of the net in order to make it 5-1. Travis Gibbons would answer for the Lock Monsters making the score 5-2. Gibbons’ goal fired up his team as they exploded for three more goals in the period in order tie the game at 5-5 at the end of two quarters of play.
The Blizzard opened the third period with the lead but could not stop the Niagara onslaught as Niagara scored seven goals in the period. The score was now 12-5 as the Blizzard allowed Niagara to score 10 unanswered goals. In the fourth quarter the Blizzard finally answered back as Tyler Gibbons scored to make it 12-6. Niagara would not back off the gas pedal though as Travis Gibbons quickly responded to add to Niagara’s lead making the score 13-6. Barrie would continue to battle as Caleb Wiles scored to make the score 13-7 and keep the Blizzard’s hope alive. Niagara would close out the game as John Arnold, Travis Gibbons, and Jordan Daradick scored to seal the victory 16-8 for the Monsters.
Niagara showed tonight that you cannot ever let up against them as their offense can explode at any moment and turn a game around. The Blizzard made the same mistakes they did all of last year as they got out to a big lead but could not hold onto it as they fell apart in the second half.
The Lock Monsters will be back in action on Sunday as they take on the Durham TurfDogs.
