Late Loss: Huskies take a bite out of Pirates in home opener

 

JASON PARKS
PICTON GAZETTE-EDITOR

One of the earmarks of a young team is not having the experience to know how to grind out a win in the late going. The relative youth of the Picton Pirates has been on display over the last two games.

In a 5-5 tie in Napanee Sept. 22 and a 4-3 loss to visiting Frankford Sept. 28, the locals had a one-goal lead within five minutes of the final buzzer. With a little luck and some veteran temerity with the puck, the Pirates could have had two wins in their first three Provincial Junior Hockey League games.

As it stands, Picton is still in search of their first win of the season — while the calendar turns to October.

Hosting the Huskies Thursday, the Bucs got off to a decent start and carried the play for most of the game until falling late in the third period.

Picton broke the ice in the first when team captain Ian Harrison collected a Nick Kirby rebound in the slot and went bar down on Frankford starter Dean Spry for a power-play goal just six minutes into the game.  Zack Brooks snapped a shot past Mr. Spry with 1:34 left to make it 2-0

Frankford would solve Pirates starter Nick McGrayne in the second as Karsten Leonard scored on a Huskies power play at the midway point of the period.

Up 2-1 in the third, Picton had several looks at an empty net to extend their lead but credit Mr. Spry for keeping the game close.

The Huskies got the game to square when Blake Ellis beat Mr. McGrayne with just over 10 minutes left to play however Picton would regain the lead when Mr. Harrison reciprocated with Mr. Kirby at the 11:51 mark to make it 3-2.

Sloppy play in the Picton end was their demise on this night.

Frankford’s Ben Smith would tip a point shot past Mr. McGrayne at 15:13 and then Dylan Foster went glove side for the game winner with 2:26 left. For the Huskies, it was the first time they led.

The Pirates go looking for their first win Thursday night against the Amherstview Jets.