LUCAN – The Lucan Irish are riding a six-game losing streak, fed in part by a 6-4 decision to Lambeth Jan. 18, a 5-3 loss to Thamesford Friday, and an 8-3 loss to Mt. Brydges Sunday afternoon.

But more than one Lucan shot rang off a post against Lambeth, and the Irish played Thamesford close before running out of gas against Mt. Brydges, ending a busy stretch against three quality teams.

"I was very happy with the guys," Irish head coach Dan Mudge said of the Lambeth game.

"They're certainly working hard and listening and we're making strides, which is good. At this time of year, wins and losses doesn't matter as much as going in the right direction."

Lambeth (6) vs. Irish (4)

The Irish fell into a 3-0 hole in the first period thanks to Lambeth goals from Conor Chilvers, Brandon Robbins and Dale Morningstar.

Lucan's Mitch Smith answered with a powerplay marker late in the frame, and the Irish added second-period goals from Jesse DeGroot and Sam Jongeneel to tie the game.

Lambeth scored three goals in the third period (one an empty-netter) while Lucan scored once, unable to pull even.

Tyson Corkum and Greg Douglas (2) scored for Lambeth, while Brock Welch scored the only Irish goal of the frame.

Lucan goalie Devin Golets had 41 saves in the loss, while Lambeth goalie JP Trudell had 40 saves.

Thamesford (5) vs. Irish (3)

Lucan got off to another slow start against Thamesford, allowing goals from Brandyn Di Domenico and Connor Allison early in the first period.

The Irish stormed back with goals from Keiron Cobban, Smith and Jake O'Neil, and led 3-2 at the break.

Thamesford Kyle Walker scored shorthanded in the second period, and Andrew McLennan and Travis Parkin added even-strength goals in the third, making it 5-3.
Golets made 53 saves in the loss, while Thamesford goalie Chris Walker made  26 saves.

"We played right with (Thamesford)," Mudge said. "They're a well-coached, very good hockey club, and you've got to play 60 full minutes with them.

"If not, you're not going to win. But I think Golets certainly played well in net. He gave us a chance to win. Our guys just haven't got to the point yet where they have confidence in themselves to win.

"Once they get that, I think the sky's going to be the limit."

Mt. Brydges (8) vs. Irish (3)

Lucan trailed 3-2 after the first period Sunday, thanks to Irish goals from Mitch Smith and David Latta and Mt. Brydges tallies by Adam Fletcher, Spencer Wilson and Vic Pelton.

Newly signed Irish forward Shane Getner tied the game 8:26 into the second period, but Mt. Brydges regained the lead with  goals from Conor Lovell and Fletcher.

Powerplay goals from Mt. Brydges' Nate Cross, Ryan Battersby and Luke Vandehulst put the game out of reach.

Irish goaltender Dylan Gray made 41 saves in the loss, while Mt. Brydges goalie Eric Steinman made 23 saves.

Mudge said the officiating against Mt. Brydges was the worst he'd seen in 10 years.
"But that's no reason why we lost," he said. "We just ran out of gas."

Playoffs on the horizon

Mudge said all in all, he's pleased with the Irish players.

"They're working extremely hard, and David Latta has certainly risen to the top," he added.

"(Forward Jordan) May is looking good, and back on defence, Smitty (Mitch Smith) certainly has stepped it up.

Playoffs are about three weeks away, and Mudge admitted Lucan isn't ready yet. Preparations for the post-season were to begin Monday night.

Tonight (Wednesday) the last-place Irish host sixth-place Port Stanley before a Saturday road game against fifth-place North Middlesex.

"I told the guys last night after our game in Mt. Brydges ... instead of concentrating on wins and losses, it's more important to me for them to learn to start playing the system that we're going to have to play come playoff time," Mudge said.

"We've got to stay out of the penalty box, which the guys have done a very good job at, and we've just got to be playing that playoff-style hockey now.

"Sure it's nice to win, but it's not going to make a big difference in the grand scheme of things. I want them to concentrate on doing what we're going to have to do to win against the tougher teams come playoff time."

Tonight's game against Port Stanley is set for a 7:45 p.m. start at the Lucan Community Memorial Centre.