PALMERSTON – The Mapleton-Minto 81’s got back on the winning track with a 6-4 road victory over the Lucknow Lancers on Jan. 12.
The win left the 81’s in sixth place following weekend action.
The team has two regular season games left on the schedule, both at home. The team takes on the Tillsonburg Thunder in Palmerston at 4pm on Jan 19 and the Elora Rock at 2pm on Jan. 20.
Wins in both would ensure the team a spot in the Senior AA playoff round, featuring the top eight teams in the 14-team league.
The remaining six teams will play off for the WOAA Senior A title.
Prior to the Lucknow game, the 81’s addressed a league decision to take points in the standings from the team as the result of a player controversy.
In a statement released via twitter on Jan. 11, team officials stated, “At no time during the 2018-2019 season has the team iced a player who was not legally signed to an appropriate player card. All import and non-import player cards were authorized and approved by league officials including the player in question.
“The management of the Minto 81’s would like to advise their sponsors and fans that nothing illegal was done by the team’s executive. The WOAA league officials simply changed their opinion on a player’s non-import (status).
The team added, “The WOAA has since decided to take punitive action against our team. The management of the Minto 81’s would like to formally apologize to the teams involved in the WOAA Sr. League for the effect this decision will have on league standings.
“The team has been advised that we have seven days to appeal the decision of the WOAA, and the team will be considering that and other options in the comings days.”
