By Fighting Walleye Staff
Oliver Paipoonge, ON – After watching the home side cruise to a big victory on Friday night, Fighting Walleye fans who made their way to NorWest Arena on Saturday night witnessed a goaltender battle between Wisconsin’s Jakob Barcelona and Kam River’s Travis VanderZwaag.
Both netminders were outstanding in the contest, with Barcelona stopping 40 of 42 shots that came his way, and VanderZwaag turning aside 28 of 29 in the home net.
It was the 16-year-old VanderZwaag who would ultimately come out on top, the London Knights draft pick earning his second win of the season to push the Kam River record to 6-1-0.
All three goals in the contest were scored in the opening frame. Zach Johnson opened the scoring 9 minutes into the game, popping his 3rd of the season to give the visiting Lumberjacks a 1-0 lead. Daxton Lang, with a powerplay goal, and Jeremy Dunmore, with a short-handed marker, answered back for the home side and the score was 2-1 Walleye after 20 minutes of play.
Both goaltenders locked things down the rest of the way. Barcelona stopped several grade-A Walleye chances, including a Jeremy Dunmore penalty shot in the third period. VanderZwaag, for his part, was tremendous throughout, turning aside several breakaway chances and point-blank shots from the slot.
The Fighting Walleye next travel to Dryden on Wednesday for a mid-week battle with the GM Ice Dogs, before continuing on to Kenora for games on Friday and Saturday against the expansion Devils’ Gap Islanders.
Wisconsin hosts Red Lake for a 3-game series in Spooner next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
G & G Excavating 3 Stars
1st – Daxton Lang – KRW
2nd – Travis VanderZwaag – KRW
3rd – Jakob Barcelona – WIS