Canucks rally to stun Falcons
The St. Catharines Falcons gave away a point Tuesday night and head coach Tyler Bielby was not the least bit pleased.
The Falcons built a 4-0 lead by the halfway point of the second period, only to lose 5-4 in a shootout to the Niagara Falls Canucks in a Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, Golden Horseshoe Conference game at Jack Gatecliff Arena.
The win improves the Canucks record to 11-6-2 and moves them to with two points of the Falcons for second place. The Falcons, who picked up a point for the shootout loss, have played two fewer games.
Afterwards, Bielby didn’t hold his usual post-game meeting with his players, instead quickly meeting with the media where he did not pull any punches.
“I don’t think there’s anything to talk about,” he said. “I’m extremely disappointed in ourselves that we gave up a four-goal lead as coaches. I’m really disappointed in our players because I think they are better than that and they know they are better than that.
“They should really be embarrassed for giving up a four-goal lead and that’s for them to sort out.”
The Falcons scored three times in the first period and continued to play well early in the second where they extended their lead to 4-0 on Logan O’Flanagan’s second goal of the game at the 9:26 mark.
“I think (we had) quick puck movement and we were determined on puck battles,” Bielby said.
The Canucks began their comeback when Kyle Cupolo scored from the point at 14:46 and by the 19:41 mark of the period had netted two more, including Matthew Riva’s 17th of the season, to narrow the gap to 4-3.
“We got a little complacent. We were doing turns instead of stopping on pucks,” Bielby said. “We weren’t as committed in the neutral zone.
“When all is said and done, we know who does the damage on that team, and I don’t know how he continues to do damage against guys we consider to be good hockey players.”
The Canucks tied the game at 4-4 when Adrian Misaljevic scored with just under six minutes to play in regulation.
“I thought we stopped playing for 10 minutes in the second period and I thought that was the difference in the game,” Bielby said. “They haven’t learned how to win yet. They started celebrating a win way too early and they all have to look at each other and dig deep.
“They gave Niagara Falls some hope. You give them hope and they have players that can be difference makers and they were tonight.”
The Falcons came close to winning the game in the seven-minute overtime period when they hit a pair of goal posts on a power play.
In the shootout, Misaljevic netted the winner after Sam Ostafin, Riva, Tanner McEachern were all turned away by St. Catharines goaltender Andrew MacLean.
Stephen Giansante shut the door on Sam Williamson, Blake Yetman, Kyle Glenney and O’Flanagan.
The Falcons must now move on and get ready for the Caledonia Corvairs Friday.
“I think they have to go home and reflect tonight, because it is important to make sure we are self aware, and then when they wake up tomorrow morning turn the page and have a good couple of days of practise and be ready to go Friday night.”
Falcon facts: Cal Reesor, Owen Simpson and Wyatt Gibson did not play for the Falcons . . . Wade Bolton and Peyton McIntosh were scratched for the Canucks.
STATS PACK
Canucks 5 Falcons 4 SO
Niagara Falls forward Adrian Misaljevic with the tying goal in regulation and the winner in the shootout.
For the St. Catharines Falcons: Logan O’Flanagan 2, (1 ,2); Jonah Boria (4); Blake Yetman (1)
For the Niagara Falls Canucks: Misaljveic (4); Kyle Cupolo 2 (3, 4); Matthew Riva (17).
Game stats: Shots on goal: By St. Catharines on Stephen Giansante (34), by Niagara Falls on Andrew MacLean (27); Power plays: St. Catharines 1-for-2, Niagara Falls 0-for-2; Penalty minutes: St. Catharines 4, Niagara Falls 4.
Attendance: 302.
Up next: The Falcons host the Caledonia Corvairs Friday while the Canucks are home to the Fort Erie Meteors.
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