Hespeler suffers another shutout loss at home

CAMBRIDGE – Goals at the Hespeler Memorial Arena have been hard to come by for the Hespeler Shamrocks early in the Provincial Junior Hockey League season.

The Shamrocks were blanked 5-0 by the Tavistock Braves in league play at home Sunday afternoon.

Tavistock 5 Hespeler Shamrocks 0

It’s the second time the Shamrocks have been shut out in three home games. They were edged 2-1 in their other home game.

The Shamrocks have scored a total of nine goals in their two road games.

Sunday, Tavistock scored three goals in the second period and two in the third for the win.

Tavistock outshot the Shamrocks 29-13, including an 18-7 advantage in the second period while the teams combined for a total of six shots in the third.

Jeffrey Kernichan picked up the shutout for Tavistock while Joseph Clark took the loss in net for the hosts.

Owen Rahn had two goals for the Braves while Nathan Yeck, Brock McKenzie and Josh Helgerman also scored. Helgerman had two assists while McKenzie, Marc Dionne, Drew Gerth, Nathan Bartlett, Zach Gladding, Luke Fanjoy and Kernichan each had one.

Both teams were scoreless on two power plays.

New Hamburg Firebirds lead the Doherty Division with six wins in as many outings. They’re followed by the Wellesley Applejacks at 5-1-0-0, Woodstock Navy Vets at 3-0-2-0, Tavistock at 4-2-0-0, the Shamrocks at 1-4-0-0, Norwich Merchants at 1-5-0-0 and Burford Bulldogs at 0-6-0-0.

The Shamrocks and Braves are to clash again Friday as they’re to play at the Tavistock and District Recreation Centre. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Hespeler’s also to host Norwich Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at the Hespeler Memorial Arena.

• Guelph Sports Journal