Junior hockey roundup: IceDogs lose; Canucks still perfect; Riverhawks win
The Niagara IceDogs peppered the Sudbury Wolves with 48 shots but came up short, dropping a 3-2 decision at home in Ontario Hockey League action.
Sudbury netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen kicked out 46 shots, including 19 of 20 in the first period.
Stephen Dhillon made 18 saves in goal for Niagara and was charged with the loss.
Sudbury led 2-1 after one on goals by Darian Pilon and Blake Murray. Rookie Kyen Sopa netted his second of the season for Niagara.
Kirill Maksimov tied the game at 2-2 early in the second period. Peter Stratis then netted the winner for the Wolves with under five minutes to play in the third.
Niagara, 3-2, are at Mississauga Friday and home next Thursday to the Barrie Colts for Stan Mikita night. The IceDogs will be donning special warm up jerseys, hosting a banner raising, and a puck drop by two of his former teammates.
JUNIOR B
The Niagara Falls Canucks improved to 8-0 with a 4-1 victory at Thorold in Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, Golden Horseshoe Conference action.
Ben Evans continued his torrid offensive production with two goals and an assist to give him nine goals and 25 points in eight games. Former Blackhawk Mitch Mendonca and Justin Randhawa also scored.
Trevor Neumann replied for the Hawks, who dropped their sixth straight to fall to 2-6.
Zach Moore kicked out 32 shots for the win in net.
The Canucks are home to Welland Friday while the Hawks are off until next Thursday when they host Pelham.
JUNIOR C
The Niagara Riverhawks improved to 4-2 on the season with a 3-2 win over the Hespeler Shamrocks on Thursday night in Provincial Junior Hockey League action at the Gale Centre.
The Riverhawks opened the scoring in the first period on a goal by captain Daniel Volpatti before Hespeler tied the game.
Hespeler scored midway through the second period to take a 2-1 lead before Volpatti netted his second of the game to tie the game at 2-2 after 40 minutes of play.
Daniel Volpatti
In the third period, Keith Palmer scored the winner at 12:55.
“We need to play 60 minutes. I thought we let down a bit in the second period but it was good to see us bounce back and pick up the win,” Niagara head coach Tim Barath said.
Dylan Matos made 21 saves for the win.
The Riverhawks travel to Dunnville Friday before returning home next Thursday when they host the Grimsby Peach Kings.
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