Falcons hold off Corvairs
What you see is what you get from Nate Shirton.
The 20-year-old Dunnville native is a hard working winger who brings the same intensity and effort game in and game out.
Shirton turned in his usual gritty effort Friday and also chipped in with a pair of goals as the St. Catharines Falcons doubled the Caledonia Corvairs 4-2 in Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League action at the Seymour-Hannah Sports Complex.
Falcons coach Tyler Bielby appreciates the way Shirton goes about his business, on and off the ice.
“He’s the type of guy when he graduates this year I hope we stay in touch because he’s honest, he’s genuine in his approach,” Bielby said. “He was a big part of our playoff run — a huge part of our playoff run — and then to have him come back in the lineup tonight and get two big goals for us, that’s what we need from our 20-year-olds.
“I can’t say enough about Nate Shirton.”
Shirton began the season with St. Catharines last year and played in 15 games before deciding to suit up for his hometown Dunnville Mudcats at the junior C level.
“It was sad to see him leave last year but once again, he was doing it again for genuine reasons to be close to his grandfather (Lyle Shirton) so he could see him play hockey,” Bielby said.
Shirton said the decision to play close to home was an easy one under the circumstances.
“He’s (grandfather) battling some health problems right now so I played in Dunnville so he could watch,” Shirton said. “I talk to him as much as possible. He’s a big part of my life and means a lot to me.”
Shirton gives credit to his grandfather for his work ethic.
“My grandfather was a hockey player and a big farm boy so I think it comes from him,” he said.
Shirton, who returned to the Falcons last season for their Sutherland Cup playoff run, admits it will be nice to play a full campaign with the Falcons in his final season of junior eligibility.
“I think I can contribute a lot to the team so I’m looking forward to it and hopefully we can get it done again,” he said.
Shirton netted his third of the season in the second period as the Falcons built a 3-0 lead after 40 minutes. He iced the game away with an empty-net marker with 55 seconds to play.
A couple of weeks ago the Falcons blew a 3-0 lead in third period to the Hamilton Kilty B’s and ended up losing in overtime.
This time they found a way to close out the win, despite permitting two goals in the third period.
“I don’t think there’s anybody on that bench that doesn’t remember what happened versus Hamilton but I think we need to remember those things,” Bielby said. “We called a time out (after the second goal) and we called it out. We talked out it during that time out. That was the hockey team then and today our identity is different than it was then.”
The Falcons continue to be on another level killing penalties, blanking the Corvairs in seven attempts with the man advantage.
“Once again, I tip our cap to our penalty kill,” Bielby said. “Owen Simpson, Nate Robertson, Cam Knight and Zach Mizzi tonight. I think it will be close to 98 per cent on 45 attempts. Caps off to those penalty killers who get in those shot lanes and make the job a littler easier on our team.”
The Falcons are in Caledonia Saturday for a rematch and then in Pelham Sunday afternoon.
“We have a couple of healthy guys so I’ll get two fresh, healthy guys in tomorrow and that will help for Sunday of course,” Bielby said. “These guys are young they can go.”
Falcons facts: The Corvairs wore their home dark jerseys while the Falcons were in their home red sweaters . . . Caledonia’s Josh Russell shot wide on a penalty shot in the second period . . . In other action Friday, the Thorold Blackhawks blanked the Niagara Falls Canucks 4-0 as Christian Lynch made 32 saves for the shutout while Daniel Thomakos scored in overtime as the Welland Junior Canadiens edged the Pelham Panthers 3-2.
Falcons 4 Corvairs 2
St. Catharines forward Nate Shirton with two goals.
St. Catharines Falcons: Shirton 2 (4); Kyle Glenney (4); Parker Forlin (3).
Caledonia Corvairs: Markus Dempewolfe (11); Josh Russell (5).
Game stats: Shots on goal: By St. Catharines on Ethan Labelle (24), by Caledonia on Josh Johnson (35); Power plays: St. Catharines 1/4, Caledonia 0/7; Penalty minutes: St. Catharines 14, Caledonia 8.
Attendance: 357
On deck: The Falcons are in Caledonia Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Pelham Sunday at 2:45 p.m.
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