ESSEX 73's junior hockey club

73's Prevail Over Petrolia

December 3, 2019

After losing three straight games to Lakeshore, Mooretown and Wheatley- the Essex 73’s returned home to face off against the Petrolia Flyers on December 3.

From puck drop, the teams were quick to exchange chances and bursts of speed and offense. Essex was quick to control possession throughout the early going, but despite holding the puck and a 8-5 edge in shots the score remained tied at 0’s.

Coming out of the intermission, the 73’s began to overwhelm the Flyers defense with speed and shots. As a result the 73’s opened the scoring as Ty Moss scored his first as a 73, beating Jakob Knowles on the doorstep with the man advantage. Three minutes later, the 73’s doubled their lead as Preston Corp fooled Knowles and capitalized. As the scoreboard was 2-0 after two periods of play and Essex outshot Petrolia 19-8.

Essex continued to motor through the game and stymied the Flyers offense. Conor Dembinski notched the third goal of the night. While Jax D’Hondt turned aside 11 shots to post his ninth career shutout.

Essex will be off until Saturday as they travel to Mooretown to face the Flags. 

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Canadiens Flex Their Muscles in 5-0 Win

November 29, 2019

The Essex 73's stepped on the ice Friday night, looking to snap a two-game losing streak, but against the best team in the Stobbs Division, and perhaps the entire Provincial Junior Hockey League.

After a scoreless first period, the home team took it to the visitors, scoring five goals over the remaining two periods en route to a 5-0 drubbing.

The 73's have now lost six of their last nine games, uncharted waters for this club, for sure.

The 73's will look to get back on track Tuesday when they face the Petrolia Flyers.

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Flags Escape Essex With 3-2 Win

November 25, 2019

After a week off, the Essex 73’s returned home Nov. 26 and were looking to rebound from last weeks loss, as they hosted the Mooretown Flags.

In the early minutes of the period, the teams showed their elusiveness. Both teams exchanged quick rushes and passes going one end to the other. But it would be Essex who would capitalize first and open the scoring. It came from their Captain, Riley Meyerink, as he put a wrist shot by Flags goalie Jake Wilkins. However the Flags would respond just two minutes later, as Brodie Conlon snuck in behind the 73’s defense and beat goalie Connor Meyerink. As the score read 1-1 going into the intermission.

In period two, the teams continued to exchange chances, and physical play. The teams combined for 51 minutes of penalties in the frame. Leaving for plenty of skating room. It would be Essex who broke the deadlock again, as Josh Pope-Ferguson beat Wilkins with the man advantage. But the lead last just 59 seconds as the Flags had an answer. The teams skated into the intermission tied at 2’s. And the shots were nearly identical 17-16 in favour of Essex.

In the third period, the Flags staved off the 73's, and managed to beat Meyerink, and the 73’s fell 3-2 to the Flags. 

The 73’s will be off until Friday as they travel to Lakeshore, to face their rival Canadiens. 

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Sharks Take Another Bite out of 73's

November 17, 2019

For the third time this season, the Wheatley Sharks have stymied the 73’s and on their home ice. 

After taking an early penalty, the Sharks were sent to the man advantage. After the 73’s lost the draw, the puck went to the top of the blue line and Mason Gow slapped a shot that deflected off Karson Beuglet and went in. And 8 minutes later, Gow notched his second of the night as he slipped a shot through Jax D’hondt’s five-hole. As the scoreboard read 2-0 Sharks after 1. And the shots were 7-3 Essex.

However in the early minutes of period 2, the 73’s came out of the intermission looking like a new team. They were skating unlike the previous period and controlling the puck and getting chances in the offensive zone. It was the fourth line of Brayden Zuidema, Beuglet and Kristan Pelling who cut the lead in half. As Beuglet was Johnny-on-the-spot and banged home a rebound behind Sharks goalie Kyle Metson. It was the 16 year-old’s first junior hockey goal. But that would be as close as Essex would come.

Despite outshooting the Sharks 27-20 throughout the game. The 73’s were unable to beat Metson again. As the Sharks and former 73 Alixe Saliba added an empty netter to prevail 3-1. 

The 73’s are now off until next Tuesday when they host Mooretown.

NOTE: The Essex 73's have made a trade with the Amherstburg Admirals. The 73's give up American defenceman, Trevor Klee, and in return get Ty Moss, who started the season in Chatham of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. Moss had 8 points in 13 games with the Maroons. Last season, as a rookie, Moss registered 24 points in 29 games with Amherstburg. The 73's would like to wish much success to Trevor Klee.

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Captain Meyerink Scores Winner in Blenheim

November 17, 2019

The Essex 73’s are showing resilience and defensive abilities, following their performance Sunday.

On Sunday, the 73’s traveled to Blenheim to face the Blades. The visiting 73’s came out sluggish to start, as goalie Connor Meyerink faced a majority of his 10 shots in the period in the opening minutes. The Blades opened the scoring, beating Meyerink with the man advantage. But the goal would stand for just two minutes, as Jack Sanko would respond for the 73’s. The teams skated into the intermission deadlocked at 1.

And similar to period one, the Blades would scratch the surface and draw first blood during the second period. Seven minutes into the period, Tyler Davis beat Meyerink. But again, the goal last just two minutes as Sanko would notch his second of the game. And the score would remain 2-2 when the buzzer sounded for the end of the second period. Shots after two periods were also tied at 21-21, setting up for a thrilling third period.

As both teams looked to find a hole and test their opposition, they ramped up their physical play. And with that, cake more trips to the penalty box. This time, scoring with the man advantage would be the 73’s who obtained their first lead of the game. As Riley Meyerink blasted home a point shot by Blades goalie Caleb Pinsonneault with just over two minutes to play. Despite pulling the goalie, the Blades were unable to beat Meyerink and the 73’s defense again. As Essex prevailed 3-2 and gave up just 5 shots in the third period. Final shots on goal were 32-26 for Essex.

Essex will the off until Tuesday when they return home and host the Wheatley Sharks.

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