Lakers dock coach Murray, lose to Wild

Just 13 games into the GMHL season and the Innisfil Lakers replaced head coach Justin Murray with Jack Martin (above right). Photo by Jon Yaneff After only 13 games of the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League season, the Innisfil Lakers have docked their head coach Justin Murray to the shore, replacing him with Jack Martin. Martin has about 30 years of hockey experience, including helping the Western Ontario Athletic Association Senior Hockey League’s Georgian Bay River Rats (near Thornbury) to the league championship in 2003-04.

“I used to coach Justin years ago and he certainly has a good hockey sense,” said Martin, who was hired by the Lakers Friday night to replace Murray. “He’ll bounce back and coach somewhere else I’m sure.

“It’s going to be a fun and exciting opportunity, no doubt about that,” said Martin of his hiring. “There are lots of really good kids with talent here.”

Game 1 for Martin didn’t end well, as his Lakers lost his debut, 7-5, Monday night to the King Wild at the Innisfil Recreational Complex, though they outshot the Wild 29-16.

“We had a little unorganized effort tonight, but that’s more of a reflection of me and the lack of knowledge of the players,” said Martin, whose team had also added six new players to replace injured forwards, such as their captain Jonathan Dew

15 goals, 14 assists – 10 games). “So, I think a little more familiarly with these guys and we can be a force.”

Though the Wild led 5-2 after the second period, three straight goals to begin the third tied the game at 5-5. Nils Berger (on the power play) and Viktor Perezhogin would score in the first two minutes of the frame, while Anthony Gambacorta would tie the game on the power play with a point shot with about 12 minutes left in the game.

King’s Matt Marchese would deflect a crisp crossice saucer pass by toughguy blue-liner Cody Smith with 7:48 left in the game for the go-ahead goal. Brendan Farrugia would add an empty net goal with 35 seconds left.

The Wild seemed to gain immense control after the second, with four goals, including two on the power play by Dan Douglas and Derek Long. Farrugia and Marc Fortin would have the first two goals of the second to up the lead to 3-1 at the time for the Wild. The Lakers had goals from Brandon Petrie in the first and Brayden Ruud in the second, while the Wild’s other goal scorer was Joseph Santino, who also added three assists.

The Lakers now fall to seventh place in the GMHL with a 7-7 record.

“I think our record doesn’t really show what this team is all about, but the proof will be in what happens in the next couple of weeks,” Martin said.

Martin and the Lakers will get their next opportunity Saturday at the Thornhill Community Centre against the Toronto Canada Moose (2-8) at 7:35 p.m. Next Monday at home the Lakers will play the Bradford Rattlers (13-1) at 7:30 p.m.