Falcons edge Panthers to take 2-0 lead
The St. Catharines Falcons ground out a tough 2-1 win over the Pelham Panthers Sunday in Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, Golden Horseshoe Conference playoff action.
The Falcons now lead the best-of-seven quarter-final 2-0. Game 3 is Tuesday in St. Catharines followed by Game 4 Wednesday in Pelham.
“We liked tonight’s win because we were forced to dig in and find a way,” Falcons coach Tyler Bielby said. “It’s the playoffs and it’s all about trying to get the W. I thought we dictated the play for the most part but struggled to finish around the net. All the credit to the Pelham goaltender but at the same time we have to be more focused around the net and find a way to bury.
“All in all, it was a good team win.”
Wyatt Thole got Pelham on the board just 27 seconds into the game with his first of the post-season. It was Pelham’s lone shot on goal in the period.
The Falcons tied things up at 1-1 four minutes into the second when Kyle Glenney scored, with assists from Trent Glenney and Sam Williamson.
Nick Volpatti then netted the winner early in the third.
Blair Coffin earned the win in goal with 18 saves while Nick McGowan kicked out 34 shots in goal for Pelham and took the loss.
“Consistency on the defensive side of the puck is what will continue to allow us to be successful,” Bielby added. “We must take pride in keeping the puck out of our net.
“The game was won by going to the dirty areas. Playoff hockey at its best.”
SATURDAY
Kilty B’s 3 Blackhawks 2
The Hamilton Kilty B’s scored twice in the third period to edge the Thorold Blackhawks 3-2 Saturday at Thorold Arena to take a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven series.
Nolan Slachetka, Nick Giamou and Eli Rivers scored for Hamilton.
Nick Gidney and Joel Chauvin, both on the power play, replied for the Blackhawks.
Justin Easter made 34 saves to pick up the win.
Hase Grsic made 32 saves and took the loss.
Game 3 is Monday in Hamilton with Game 4 Wednesday in Thorold.
Canucks 1 Meteors 0
Danial Singer’s power-play marker early in the second period was the lone goal of the game as the Niagara Falls Canucks blanked the Fort Erie Meteors Saturday at the Leisureplex.
Jacob Hearne made 38 saves in net for the Meteors while Anthony Tremonte kicked out 35 shots for the shutout.
The Canucks lead the best-of-three series 2-0. Game 3 is Tuesday in the Falls with Game 4 back in Fort Erie Wednesday.
Corvairs 2 Regals 1
The Caledonia Corvairs peppered Buffalo goaltender Jagger Maving with 71 shots to edge Regals 2-1 Saturday night at the Haldimand Centre.
The Corvairs lead the best-of-seven set 3-0 and can complete the sweep with a win in Game 4 Monday in Buffalo.
Dylan D’Agostino opened the scoring for the Corvairs in the first period before Ryan Littlejohn made it 2-0 in the second.
Owen Green got the Regals on the board six minutes into the third.
Evan Reinhart faced 38 shots to earn the win.
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