Penalty trouble cost the Essex 73’s in a 5-2 loss to Wingham in Game 4 of the Schmalz Cup Semi-Final.

Wingham was 2-for-12 on the powerplay and a bulk of those chances came in the second period when Essex took seven penalties in a row.

Essex coach Gil Langlois says how they lost isn’t a secret.  “We have to stay out of the box, we have to play more disciplined.  You can’t take that many penalties and expect to win a hockey game.

Essex goalie Darien Ekblad was also busy, making 36 saves.  Wingham put 41 shots on Ekblad, the second night in a row that the Essex goalie faced more than 40 shots.  Ekblad was pulled with about six minutes left in the third period.  Langlois says it was a mercy pull as his goalie had played three nights in a row.

Game 5 is in Essex Tuesday night at 7:30pm with the 73’s leading the series 3-1.