Kelly makes successful transition to junior
Nathan Kelly scored his sixth goal of the season Monday as the Thorold Blackhawks dropped a 5-3 decision to the Niagara Falls Canucks at Thorold Arena. Photo by: BILL POTRECZ
Skilled forwards who can skate and finish don’t grow on trees. So when Thorold Blackhawks coach Scott Barnes found out Nathan Kelly was interested in suiting up for the Blackhawks, he offered him a spot before training camp even started.
“He’s always been on our radar and someone we were hoping to get eventually,” Barnes said. “He skated with us early in the summer when the rinks opened back up after COVID and I asked him if he wanted to play for us.
“He committed to me and I committed to him.”
Kelly, an 18-year-old Grimsby resident, last played in 2019/20 for the Niagara North Stars U18 AAA squad. He was looking to make the jump to the junior C Grimsby Peach Kings last year before the pandemic cancelled the season.
Kelly has made a smooth transition to the junior ranks with six goals and 12 points in 11 games, including a goal Monday as the Blackhawks dropped a 5-3 decision to the Niagara Falls Canucks at the Thorold Arena in Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League action.
“He’s a very skilled player, he can skate and he’s got a good hockey IQ,” Barnes said. “You have to get as many good offensive players as you can.”
Kelly said he wasn’t sure what the jump to junior would be like, particularly after being off the ice for a year.
“I skated with the Peach Kings a little bit last year so that got me into junior a little bit,” he said. “That first game, once you take that first hit and get into the game a little bit and go from there (you start to feel comfortable).”
Barnes feels Kelly’s skill set is more suited to that of a playmaker.
“He’s very smooth with the puck and he’s a really nice skater, he’s got that nice blend and he’s got a nice shot too,” Barnes said. “He looks to make the plays and dish it a little more than just score. He can beat goalies with his shot and he’s got some confidence playing at this level right now.”
Kelly, who is currently on a line with captain Nicholas Rubino and rookie Sam Tonelli, is happy he has been able to contribute right away.
“It’s been nice,” he said. “It’s been fun. The guys have been great and I have good linemates so that makes it easy.”
Kelly has been impressed with level of competition after seeing the league for almost two months.
“It’s really good,” he said. “It’s good league. Every team is good, there are no easy teams. You have to play hard every night.”
Barnes feels the Hawks offence may come around to give Kelly a hand as the team gets healthy.
“We’ve had three of our more offensive-type guys out of the lineup for the past little while. We’re trying to get by, to tread water, until we get some guys back off injury.
“It has been up and down. We know we have the ability to score from earlier in the season. We’ve been focusing on the defence and now you have to try to take the best of both.”
Kelly, a first-year sport management student a Brock, would love to see the Hawks get on a roll.
“Yeah, it’s a little frustrating but we had two wins back-to-back and the mood in the room was a lot better,” he said. “ It’s a lot more fun when you win.”
Kilty B’s 5 Falcons 2
The Hamilton Kilty B’s came out on top in a battle of the two top teams in the Golden Horseshoe standings Monday night in Hamilton.
The win improves Hamilton’s record to 14-1. They lead the Falcons by five points for first place.
The Falcons, 11-3-0-1, had their winning streak snapped at six.
Former Falcon Dylan Abbamont paced Hamilton with two goals and two assists. Connor Haynes, Liam Galton and Justin Monteith added singles.
Sam Williamson and Dylan DiTomaso replied for the Falcons.
Gage Stewart made 32 saves in net for the win.
The Falcons are home to Fort Erie Friday.
STATS PACK
Canucks 5 Blackhawks 3
Niagara Falls forward Matthew Riva with two goals and an assist.
For the Thorold Blackhawks: Nathan Kelly (6); Nicholas Rubino (4): Adrian Diodati (3).
For the Niagara Falls Canucks: Riva 2 (15, 16); Owen Goodbrand 2 (1, 2); Tanner McEachern (7).
Game stats: Shots on goal: By Thorold on Riley George (31), by Niagara Falls on Noah Fortuna (32); Power plays: Thorold 1-for-8, Niagara Falls 1-for-4; Penalty minutes: Thorold 36, Niagara Falls 46.
Up next: The Blackhawks are in Welland Sunday. The Canucks are home to Caledonia Friday.
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