Season of Struggle Ends For Wallaceburg Lakers

What started and ended as a season filled with struggle for the Wallaceburg Lakers came to an end Monday night as the Lakers dropped their final game of the season 6-2 to the first place Essex 73s.

Essex plowed their way to a 5-0 lead before Wallaceburg could get on the scoreboard in the third period. Brett Beattie and Tyler Pope-Ferguson each scored two for Essex, while Colin DeLaet, and Mac Laforest rounded out the scoring.

Wallaceburg’s goals came late in the third period from Lucais Meyskens and captain Tyson Isaac.

Wallaceburg finished the season last overall with a record of 9-29-2.

For several long time Wallaceburg Lakers, Monday’s game also marked the finale of their Junior career, including top scorers Tyson Isaac and Norm Leger. Hometown Wallaceburg resident Shawn Lubbers also played his last game in green, finishing his 5 year career with 52 goals, 70 assists, and 122 points in 162 games. Tyson Isaac played 3 seasons in Wallaceburg, amassing 69 goals and 82 assists for 151 points in 107 games. Isaac also collected 418 penalty minutes in those 3 seasons. Leger, a Sarnia resident, ends his career with 71 goals and 83 assists for 154 points in 96 games. The fourth Wallaceburg Lakers overager is Dustin Cope. Cope a tough role player on the Lakers had 49 points and 307 penalty minutes in 121 games with Wallaceburg and Dresden. Cope has not played for the Lakers since before the Christmas break.

With the playoff match ups now set, teams will start their playoff series’ as soon as this weekend.