LUCAN – The Lucan Irish saw their only winning streak of the season come to an end Feb. 10 due to a 4-3 shootout loss to the Hagersville Hawks.
The Irish had won their previous two games, winning 7-5 against both the Burford Bulldogs and Port Stanley Sailors.  
"We’re coming on now," said Irish co-head coach John Medd. "It’s a little too late, but the boys have realized what it takes to win, and they’re playing the system."
The Irish are playing mainly for pride and experience at this point, sitting last in the SOJHL's Yeck Conference and eliminated from playoff contention with two games left to go.
Against Hagersville the Irish trailed 1-0 after the first period but tied the game 5:20 into the second with a goal from Nick Moniz.
Hagersville's Bob Neilson put his team ahead on a power play with 4:55 remaining, and the score was 2-1 after 40 minutes.
Lucan outscored Hagersville in the third period, thanks to goals from Chris Van Kasteren and Dustin McTaggart, who tied the game with 13 seconds left.
Neither team scored in overtime, and only Hagersville's Derek Medeiros scored in the ensuing shootout, capturing a Hawks win.
Rookie goalie Chris Ryan went the distance for Lucan, making 29 saves.
Despite their record, the Irish have played better hockey in the last half of the season than in the first, something Medd attributes to experience and the players' willingness to buy into the system put forward by coaches.
"It took a long time to get it going, but they realized it works," he said.
The Irish face Port Stanley tonight (Wednesday) in their final home game of the season.
Medd said the Sailors are a fast team, and Lucan will have to "use the body more, slow them down and forecheck their defencemen – put pressure on them," he said.
The game is scheduled for a 7:45 p.m. start. The Irish play their final game of the season Friday in Tavistock at 8:30 p.m.