Falcons keep pace with Kilty B’s
St. Catharines Falcons goaltender Andrew MacLean earned a win in his 100th junior start Monday as the Falcons topped the visiting Niagara Falls Canucks 8-1. File photo: BILL POTRECZ
The St. Catharines Falcons broke open a close game with five goals in the third period to defeat the Niagara Falls Canucks 8-1 in a Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, Golden Horseshoe Conference game Monday night at Jack Gatecliff Arena.
“As a team, we were not very happy with our second period,” St. Catharines coach Tyler Bielby said. “Challenged the guys in between periods and the result was a five-goal third.”
The win was the sixth in the last seven games for the Falcons and keeps them within three points of the Hamilton Kilty B’s for first place.
The Kilty B’s edged the Fort Erie Meteors 4-2 Monday night.
Matthew Stranges paced the Falcons with two goals while singles came off the sticks of Nicholas Rubino, Noah Reinhart, Chris Reid, Blake Yetman, James Eng and Oliver Desroches. Mason Howard chipped in with three assists.
“The team welcomed (associated player) Noah Reinhardt to our lineup tonight,” Bielby said. “He scored a beauty to put us up 3-1 as he made a nice power move through the 0-zone and went backhand top shelf in close. We are excited to have him down the stretch as we prepare for playoffs.”
Owen Goodbrand netted the lone goal for the Canucks, who bring up the rear of the standings with a 3-32-2-1 mark.
Andrew MacLean kicked out 28 shots to earn the win in goal for St. Catharines.
“Was nice for the boys to come out and fill the net on Mac’s 100th junior start,” Bielby said.
The Falcons and Kilty B’s square off Friday at Jack Gatecliff Arena at 7 p.m.
Kilty B’s 4 Meteors 2
Nathan Phillips broke a 2-2 tie halfway through the third period with his 13th of the season as the Hamilton Kilty B’s doubled the visiting Fort Erie Meteors.
Dylan Abbamont’s 30th of the season into an empty net at 19:20 sealed the deal.
“Came into their barn with a game plan and almost executed it perfectly. One mistake and it’s in the back of our net,” Fort Erie coach Nik Passero said. “They are dangerous and only need one chance. Thought we battled hard and showed we can not only hang with anyone, but we will put the pressure to you.”
Following a scoreless first period, the teams exchanged two goals each in the second. Colin MacDougall and Nate Tivey scored for Hamilton while Luke Gualtieri and Joshua DiFrancesco replied for Fort Erie.
Braedyn McIntosh made 20 saves in goal for the win.
Duncan Nichols-Delay kicked out 30 shots in net for the Mets.
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