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Lauziere embracing new role with Panthers

After an early season trade to Pelham, Tynan Lauziere has quickly become the busiest man on the block. Lauziere, a native of St. Thomas, worked his way into the starting lineup and instantly impacted the team’s chances.
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After an early season trade to Pelham, Tynan Lauziere has quickly become the busiest man on the block.
Lauziere, a native of St. Thomas, worked his way into the starting lineup and instantly impacted the team’s chances. While many goaltenders face anywhere from 20 to 30 shots a night, Lauziere routinely faces 40 to 50 in a game.
“It’s been a battle every night, but it’s lots of fun getting that many shots,” he said after a loss to the Welland Jr. Canadians. “It helps you get into the game, for sure. But you got to be ready from the start and that can be the tough part.”
To put his workload into comparison, the two goaltenders from the Caledonia Corvairs have faced just above 600 shots. While Lauziere on the other hand, faced over 1,100 shots in two fewer games.
“It’s been a fun transition with Pelham,” Lauziere, who previously played for the Strathroy Rockets, said. “We’ve continued to improve every game, so we’re just taking it step-by-step heading into the playoffs.”
Lauziere has been a much-welcomed addition on the ice. And he’s feeling the same way about the community.
“Growing up in a small community, the fit here was perfect. Everyone has been so kind and friendly. I definitely got lucky being traded here.
With a handful of games remaining in the regular season, the Panthers sit in the uncomfortable position of taking on the defending Golden Horseshoe Conference champion Corvairs. Caledonia swept the season series in dramatic fashion, scoring 46 goals and allowing just five in four games.
Lauziere says that low shot and goals against total in Caledonia doesn’t happen by accident, as the team allows very little opportunity for offence.
“[Corvairs] don’t give you anything on the ice. We will have to battle for one another and that starts in the dressing room.”
Despite the long odds ahead, he calls this season a success with the team moving forward.
“We have the pieces to be a winner, we just need to find a way to make it mesh.”
Panthers return to the ice Friday for a three game road-trip to St. Catharines, Thorold and Welland. Their final regular season home game will be on Tuesday against the Niagara Falls Canucks.