Win streak snapped, Kings have now dropped last two
THE ELMIRA SUGAR KINGS’ five-game win streak came to end Sunday afternoon when the team dropped a 5-1 decision to Listowel. That was followed up Tuesday night with another loss, this time 1-0 against Kitchener.
Sunday also marked the Kings’ annual charity game. With close to 800 people in attendance the team raised north of $6,000 for Elmira District Community Living. The jersey auction after the game saw Tyler Mazzocato’s sweater go for a whopping $600.
“It is a great feeling to give back to the community because they always support us at these games, like the auction games. We had 800-some people here today, so it’s good to see all of the jerseys go for how much that they do and give back to community living this year,” said Mazzocato.
Despite the charitable offerings, Listowel spoiled the party with a 5-1 victory.
The Cyclones came out the better team, scoring their first at 1:27 into the frame, and again at just 2:42.
Although Danny Skinner, Elmira’s Ethan Skinner’s younger brother, pulled off an assist on the second goal, there doesn’t seem to be any signs of sibling
rivalry – the Elmira forward is just happy to have the chance to be on the ice with another Skinner.
“It’s pretty fun. It would be a lot better if we win, but like it is a pretty cool experience. I never got to play with him, so I guess playing against him is the next best thing,” said Ethan after the game.
Elmira’s Ryan Takamatsu got his 15th of the season, assisted by Tyler McBay at 5:41, the only time the Kings would find the back of the net.
Listowel scored on the power play at 3:02 of the second, and from there the game was over.
“They got a third one right in the first couple of shifts in the second period, and you know when you’re playing a team as quality as they are from top to bottom, you can’t continue to give them chances and continue to dig yourself a hole. That is what we did,” said head coach Trent Brown. “I just don’t think that we were ready. We talked about giving ourselves the best chance, but we didn’t. We got down 2-0 very early – we didn’t fold, we battled through, but we didn’t have enough finesse.”
Listowel would score another at 7:17 into the third, and then took advantage of an empty Elmira net and dumped the puck from close to the opposite crease to seal the game at 5-1 Listowel. The losing streak continued for the Kings in Kitchener on Tuesday evening.
The Dutchmen scored what would ultimately be the game-winning goal only 33 seconds after the puck dropped. The Kings were unable to find the back of the net and fell 1-0 to the Dutchmen.
“We have got 11 games to get things straightened out so that we can be competitive no matter who we are playing,” said Brown.
With those 11 games left in the season, Elmira is currently sitting mid-pack in the Midwestern Conference. The Kings face off against Brantford at home this weekend, a 2 p.m. start on Sunday.