Falcons pitch another shutout
Matthew Hlacar is a work in progress for the St. Catharines Falcons.
The 17-year-old, Binbrook native is learning on the job in his first season at the junior level after leading the Niagara North Stars AAA U18 in scoring with 24 goals last season.
Hlacar scored twice Friday to lead the Falcons to a convincing 7-0 win over the visiting Welland Junior Canadians in Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League action at the Seymour-Hannah Sports Complex.
Hlacar now has six goals and 19 points in 22 games in his rookie campaign.
“Matt is a great kid and he was taught well,” Falcons general/manager coach Tyler Bielby said. “He came up through Brody (Kritsch) and he’s got a real touch in putting the puck away.”
Bielby coached Hlacar at Kitchener Rangers spring training camp and immediately took note of his size and willingness to mix it up.
“He really stood out so we made sure to keep in touch in the summer. He’s a big body and we’re continuing working with him to move his feet. When he puts that all together, he’s going to be tough to play against,” Bielby said.
Hlacar, who went undrafted in the OHL Priority Selection, was determined to make a statement at camp and dropped his gloves on a number of occasions.
“I figured I had nothing to lose so I might as well finish every check and not pass up a hit or a fight and see what happens,” he said. “It obviously didn’t work out but I’m not upset. I gave it my all. No regrets.”
Hlacar admits adapting to the junior game can be a challenge.
“Ty helped me out a lot. There were obviously a lot of learning curves and there were hard times but I knew I trusted Ty,” Hlacar said. “I knew the hard work in practice and all the stuff I was doing was going to pay off. I never gave up and stopped believing in Ty and the coaching staff.
“It’s all about learning how to play junior. That was minor hockey and this is junior and it’s all about trusting the process.”
Hlacar is listed at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds and looks like anything but a rookie.
“It’s easy to lose sight he’s just 17 and it’s his first year of junior,” Bielby said. “He’s adapting to some time and space and as he grows into his body — when you’re that big at that age you go through growth spurts — you have to adjust. He’s just getting better every night for us.”
St. Catharines had little trouble earning their second consecutive shutout.
“Wanted to see us play a little harder defensively in our own end in the third but it’s difficult,” Bielby said. “The game is 6-0 going into the third and just trying to make sure they kept their heads up and play the game the right way.
“We’re happy. At the end of the day, anytime you win a game 7-0 — that’s been two games in a row where we haven’t let a goal in — so defensively we’re getting better. There’s still some work to do but we’re happy with that.”
Hayden Jeffrey made 22 saves for his third shutout of the season.
The Falcons improved to 16-5-0-1 and have won four straight. They have a week off before hosting Hamilton next Friday.
Falcon facts: Cal Reesor, Mitchell Dmytrow, Owen Simpson, Tyler Hunt and Henry Attard were scratched for the Falcons . . . Jonathan Iwanyszyn, Adam Bignucolo, Jerry Alexander, Shea Laurin and Ethan Labbe did not dress for the Jr. Canadians . . . Falcons will be holding a Community Care Food Drive at their home games Dec. 1 and Dec. 8. Fans are asked to bring non-perishable food items and unwrapped Christmas gifts to the game . . . Bielby celebrates a birthday Sunday . . . Nice to see former Falcons coaches Trevor Lariviere and Garry Lariviere in attendance watching Trevor’s son Dustin, a defenceman for Welland . . . Former Thorold Blackhawks executive Bill Timmins was in the crowd watching grandson Carter Timmins, who also plays for Welland.
Falcons 7 Jr. Canadians 0
St. Catharines forward Matthew Hlacar with two goals.
St. Catharines Falcons: Caleb Thompson 2 (14, 15); Matthew Hlacar 2 (5, 6); Clavin Petrovsky (7); Michael Colavecchia (5); Owen King (4).
Welland Jr. Canadians: No scoring.
Game stats: Shots on goal: By St. Catharines on Stanley Mannell (39), by Welland on Hayden Jeffery (22); Power plays: St. Catharines 3/6, Welland 0/2; Penalty minutes: St. Catharines 6, Welland 14.
Attendance: 428.
Up next: The Falcons are back home next Friday to face the Hamilton Kilty B’s at 7 p.m.
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