Dresden Tops Wheatley, Blenheim Snaps Losing Streak

Dresden Kings defeat the Wheatley Sharks in Junior C hockey - Photo copyright David DeHoey

It was a busy night in the Great Lakes Junior C hockey loop with three games on the schedule featuring four Chatham-Kent teams. In Dresden, the Wheatley Sharks fell short in a late game rally as the hometown Dresden Kings picked up a 6-5 win.

Wheatley’s Riley Babkirk scored 3 unanswered goals in the third period, and 4 in the game as the Sharks nearly erased a 6-2 deficit. Kurtis Ouellette had the other Wheatley Sharks goal in the loss.

Macks Holmes opened the scoring for the Dresden Kings in the first period before Derek Daly, Alex Ritchie and Josh Beatty continued to pace the Kings with goals in the second frame. Dylan Mertz and leading scorer Brennan Rainey scored for the Kings in the third period. Both Daly and Mertz finished the game with a goal and two assists.

Brandon Funk picked up the win for Dresden in net.

In Alvinston, the Blenheim Blades snapped a 5-game losing streak defeating the Flyers 5-4. Thomas Innes scored twice in the game and added an assist. Innes scored the game winning goal for Blenheim midway through the third period. Brendon Anger also had two goals for the Blenheim Blades in the win, while Shawn Hope picked up the other goal for the Blades.

Wallaceburg fell victim to a powerful Belle River Canadiens team losing 11-2 on the road in the other Great Lakes game on the schedule. Wallaceburg dressed only 14 skates in the game and was without recent catalyst Norm Leger. Chris DiNatalie scored 5 goals for the Belle River Canadiens. Wallaceburg Lakers goals went to Kyle Jacobson and Thomas Mertz.