Bantam Lakers pass Spartans

In a game that had two very well-matched teams, the Bantam Lakers were able to hold on and defeat the Spartans, 5-4, in a very close end to end battle at the Amherst Pepsi center Sunday night.

The Spartans got on the board first on a nice goal by Samantha Reinhart from Jonathan Cordero at 5:18 of the first period. Less than two minutes later, Trevor Barrett got a nice two-way pass from D.J. Scinta and Greg Slawson and Barrett blasted it by the netminder for the Spartans to tie the score at 1-1 at 3:22 of the first.

The Spartans would not be denied and came firing back with a goal at 1:16 of the first when Josh Coffey beat the Laker goaltender from Samantha Reinhart and Jonathan Cordero to lift the Spartans to a one-goal lead. This end to end game was fast with many chances from both ends.

With just 34 seconds left in the first, Barrett got his second of the period to tie the score at 2-2 from Conner Dougherety and Zach Adams.

The second period was all Lakers as they came out with an aggressive hard-hitting tone that would set the tone for the rest of the game.

Laker defenseman Dominic Carlino and Cal Eichhorn played tough in both zones to help create many offensive rushes for the Lakers. This hard work paid off when Muj Soniwala put it by Spartan goalie Isiah Rifkin from the slot at 9:02 of the second from Louis Huff and Matt Lindvall to lift the Lakers to a 3-2 lead.

Both teams had chances at either end but strong goaltending by Laker netminder Anthony Kroese and Spartan goalkeeper Isiah Rifkin kept the score at bay for awhile. Rifkin showed his brilliance when he made a great stop on Laker winger Jonathan Rera when he went in alone on a breakaway to keep it a one-goal game.

With the second period winding down, Soniwala got his second of the period on a nice pass from Zach Adams to give the Lakers a two-goal edge ending the second period with the Lakers up 4-2.

The third period started with the Spartans showing some life with strong floor checking by Mike Stroka and Charles Jordan. Their hard work finally paid of at 7:29 when A.J. Pellerite blew one past the Laker goalkeeper from Nick Christopher and Mike Stroka to bring the Spartans within one.

The strong end to end rush by Michael Biggane paired up with Tyler Senway gave the Lakers many chances but Rifkin denied them time after time. The Spartans would not quit and with 4:34 left in the game, Jonathan Cordero shot one by the Lakers goalie on a nice three-way pass from Jordan and Christopher to tie the game at 4-4 and give the Spartans' new life.

Both teams had numerous chances to take the lead as the game wound down. The Lakers would not be denied as they had played well all game and wanted to win this one. Josh Zalas made a great pass in front of the Spartan net and found Greg Slawson who blew it by the Spartan goalie to give the Lakers a 5-4 lead with just two minutes remaining in the game and their first win of the season.