Junior hockey roundup: IceDogs hold off Storm; Storm cancells three junior B games
It was a busy and productive weekend for Stephen Dhillon and the Niagara IceDogs.
The veteran netminder backstopped the IceDogs to a pair of victories, 7-2 over the Flint Firebirds Saturday night at home followed by a 4-3 victory over the Guelph Storm on the road Sunday afternoon.
Toss in a 10-0 shutout over Hamilton Thursday, and Dhillon has faced 107 shots in the last three games and permitted just five goals.
The IceDogs sit atop the Central Division of the Ontario Hockey League with a 27-10-7-2 mark and 61 points, eight points up on the second-place Sudbury Wolves. The IceDogs are fourth overall in points trailing Ottawa (68), London (66) and Sault Ste. Marie (65).
Sunday in Guelph, Akil Thomas scored twice while Kirill Maksimov and Jason Robertson added singles.
Isaac Ratcliffe, Sean Durzi and Owen Lalonde replied for the Storm, who rallied from a 4-1 deficit with a pair in the third to make things interesting.
Saturday night at home, Jack Studnicka led the way with three goals while Thomas added a pair. Jake Uberti and Robertson also scored. Thomas also chipped in with three helpers.
The IceDogs are home to Erie Thursday before travelling to Sarnia Saturday and Windsor Sunday.
JUNIOR B
Mother Nature was the big winner this weekend with three of four Golden Horseshoe games postponed due to the weather.
Lockport at Fort Erie Saturday, St. Catharines at Niagara Falls Sunday and Lockport at Pelham Sunday were all cancelled and will be replayed at a later date.
The Thorold Blackhawks and Welland Junior Canadians managed to get their game in Sunday night in Welland with the Hawks prevailing 4-3.
Daniel Rocco’s goal in the third period broke a 3-3 tie and gave the Blackhawks the victory.
Devon Thibodeau, former Junior Canadian Mario Zitella, and Trevor Neumann added singles.
Kellan Rosenbaum, Quinn Chevers and Martin Nowysz scored for the Junior Canadians who fell to 8-26-0-3.
The Hawks, 16-18-1-2, are home to Hamilton Thursday.
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