LUCAN – Roster changes could be on the way as the Lucan (Junior 'D') Irish try to climb out of last place in the SOJHL's Yeck Conference and gear up for a playoff run.

Irish head coach Dan Mudge said Monday the team was in the process of making roster changes "as we speak," but further details were unavailable at press time.
Asked if the team was considering trades or releasing players and signing new ones, Mudge said he thought it was all of the above.

"It's my job to put the best possible team on the ice, and that's what we're going to do," he said.

The Irish fell to last place in the Yeck with a pair of recent losses – a 2-0 decision to  the North Middlesex Stars last Wednesday and a 6-0 decision to the Lambeth Lancers Sunday night.

The losses came on the heels of a 5-4 win over the Port Stanley Sailors in overtime Jan. 3.

As previously reported, Mudge planned to evaluate the entire team after the Jan. 3 game, his fifth since being hired mid-season.

Details about trades or player signings made this week will appear in the next print edition of the Times-Advocate.

Irish (5) vs. Port Stanley (4)

Lucan jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Port Stanley thanks to first-period goals by Dylan Moss and Jesse DeGroot.

Port Stanley fired back in the second period with a powerplay goal from Carter Atkinson, but Kevin Flanagan made it 3-1 Lucan with a goal later in the frame.

Irish forward Sam Jongeneel scored 3:35 into the third period to make it 4-1, but Port Stanley stormed back with goals from Taylor Schram, Jacob Pliskow and Jon Cameron, sending the game to overtime.

Matt Curtis scored 3:10 into the extra frame to give Lucan the win.

Dylan Gray went the distance in goal for the Irish, making 34 saves. Port Stanley goaltender Kyle Parker had 44 saves in the loss.

"We started out the game really well," Mudge said Monday. "Our systems were working, the guys were working hard at it.

"But we had a lapse ... and it cost us. It's another step in the learning process."

Irish (0) vs. North Middlesex (2)

Second-period goals from North Middlesex players Mac Beaton and Chris Wilson were the difference last Wednesday as the Irish fell at home.

Gray and teammate Dylan Hoover shared goaltending duties for Lucan, combining for 17 saves. North Middlesex goaltender Bobby Raine had 23 saves in the win.
"We came out very flat, stale," Mudge said. "We just didn't play well.

"They stepped it up a bit in the third period, but I had to hand it to the North Middlesex goalie. He was stellar in net that night, and played very well."

Irish (0) vs. Lambeth (6)

Lucan played shorthanded Sunday, with five regulars out of the lineup according to Mudge.

Second-place Lambeth took advantage, scoring two goals each period – three of them on powerplays and one shorthanded – to take the win.

Brett Cook and Nick West scored first-period goals, while Tanner Smith and Nick North scored in the second.

Rob Ruggiero and West scored in the third to round out the scoring.
Gray made 33 saves for Lucan, while Lambeth goaltender Blake Rawlings had 36 saves in his first shutout of the season.

"Overall since I've taken over, I'm pleased with the kids," Mudge said. "It's now time to get to work.

We finally have a practice where we're all going to be together (Monday night), which is the first since I've taken over, and look forward to the remaining 10 games and the playoffs."

Next up

The Irish return to action Saturday with a home game against the Exeter Hawks at the Lucan Community Memorial Centre.

The game is set for a 7:45 p.m. start.