BRANTFORD — Looking back later, it may have been a turning point in the season for the Brantford Blast, who have held first place for most of the Sr. AAA season, when the fourth place Stoney Creek Generals surprised the Blast 3-2, Friday night at the Brantford and District Civic Centre.
The Blast has been sagging since the Christmas break while the Dundas Real McCoys and Whitby Dunlops have been pouring it on. But the Stoney Creek Generals are a team the Blast most assuredly should not have had a problem with. But they sure did Friday night.
The Generals got on the scoreboard first at 2:57 with Nathan Pageau pocketing a goal after a Brantford give away. Chris Leveille tied the game for the Blast at 14:17 from Mike Burgoyne and Joel Prpic.
Stoney Creek took the lead back at 1:58 of the second period on a powerplay with Ryan Healy off for hooking. Less than a minute later, Jake Guindon made it 3-1 for the visitors. Mike Ruberto scored what would stand as the last goal of the game at 6:55 of the second period.
Brett Leggat for the Blast and Daniel Svedin of the Generals stood like stone walls in their respective nets the rest of the game with Stoney Creek outshooting the Blast 32-22 in total.
The loss makes this coming Friday night’s game all that more important as the surging Dundas Real McCoys — hosts of this year’s Allan Cup playoffs — come to town to try and wrestle first place away from the Blast. The McCoys are one point behind the Brantford but have two games in hand.
Meanwhile, the Whitby Dunlops are also within striking distance, three points in back of the Blast with one game in hand.
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