The Leo Lions reigned supreme over the Homestead Spartans, winning game four out of the six-game series in 2022-23 league play. Conner Gould would get the start for the Spartans but would not finish out the game. Drew Baumert held on to the puck tight and caught himself his first shutout of the season.

1st period

Leo opened up the game with a fast pace and solid defence that helped out not only the team morale but goaltending. Weston Roth scored his 6th of the season, unassisted as he sent the puck off the crossbar and in on the far side. Right after the goal with exactly four minutes gone, Drew Baumert left the ice and was replaced by Xander Mullholand. Leo was able to get in another goal at 9:27, this time Riley Murphy scored his second of the season also unassisted. Baumert came back to the net after some repairs to his equipment. The Lions’ Vance Knoblaugh was called to the box for an interference call. Homestead would get a penalty called of their own as Gavin Elkins headed off for a rough. The Lions would get called for one more penalty with 29 seconds left to go in the period.

2nd period

Homestead started the action at 11:49 as Andrew Litwinko headed off to the box for a high stick. Nine seconds later, Colin Robison and Mitchell Richison both headed off for a slash and a rough, respectively. Homestead would head back to the box about two minutes later for a slash. After the play had mellowed out, Aaron Amick for the Lions scored unassisted to make the game a 3-nothing contest. Amick went around Conner Gould and the puck had eyes heading into the back of the net. The Lions scored 49 seconds later as Alex Hendricks got the rebound from Caden Austin and Austin Amick. Gould got pulled at 1:18 after making 14 saves on 18 shots. Alex Dougherty would replace him in the net. Leo would take two penalties in the last minute of the period, Alex Hendricks heading to the box with 44 seconds left for holding and Robinson would head off with 16 left for a slash.

3rd period

Homestead would not be able to capitalize off of the 5-3 and would head to the box themselves a little over two minutes into the third period for a high-sticking call. The trio of Leo Lions seniors would capitalize on the power play, Aaron Amick would get his second of the night, Weston Roth would get his second point of the night and his 20th assist of the season and JJ Scott would get his third assist. Doughtery was just unable to corral the rebound and let the puck slip in glove-side. Weston Roth would get called to the box for a roughing call at 6:14 in the third. Spartan Andrew Litwinko would make his way to the box for the final time at 2:04, getting a 10 and 2 for checking from behind.

1380’s Three Stars of The Night

1. Drew Baumert (32 saves)
2. Riley Murphy (1g)
3. Alex Hendricks (1g)

Other stars in the system: Seniors Weston Roth with two points and Aaron Amick with two goals. Drew Baumert had the fourth shutout in league play, the first one held by a Lions goaltender in the FWAHA. The Leo Lions will take on the Carroll Chargers for the Memorial Cup Finals Saturday, February 18.

Article writen by Fiona Quinn.