Bessette Bests Flyers In Maroons Home Opener
Bo Bessette made 39 saves and was the games first star in his debut with the Chatham Maroons – Photo by Jocelyn McLaughlin/ CKSN.ca
Bessette stopped 39 of the 40 shots he faced, and was named the games first star for the Chatham Maroons as they bested the Leamington Flyers 3-1 in Sunday’s home opener.
Bessette, who was making his Maroons debut, was signed by Chatham after spending the last three seasons in the Junior A OJHL.
Brennan Feasey scored 28 seconds into the game to quickly get Chatham on the board. Steven Szekesy and Michael Verboom assisted on the play, which got the nearly 700 fans on hand into the action early.
Kyle Perkowski would score Leamington’s lone goal on the powerplay midway through the first to tie the game 1-1.
In the second period, Ian Faubert would score the eventual game winner, with Szekesy picking up his second assist of the game. Trevor Richardson also assisted on the marker.
Verboom, who is again serving as the Maroons’ captain, would put an insurance marker on the board for Chatham midway through the third, with Feasey and Jared Dennis picking up helpers.
Bessette however was the real story for Chatham, turning away the Flyers time and again, as Leamington outshot Chatham 40-31.
Chatham now has a week off before hosting the Strathroy Rockets September 21 at 7pm at Memorial Arena.
In other GOJHL news, goalie Anthony Hurtubise, who played for the Chatham-Kent Cyclones Minor Midget ‘AAA’ team last season, picked up a 33 save shutout for the Lambton Shores Predators over the London Nationals in a 2-0 decision. Hurtubise is a 16-year-old netminder, playing in only his second Junior B game.