Feb. 20 area sports: Brock hockey teams in playoffs; Canada Games appointments; Rangers under-19 girls basketball; Riverhawks eliminated
The Brock men’s hockey team swept the York Lions from the first round of the Ontario University Athletics Queen’s Cup playoffs.
Justin Brack scored the game-winning goal as the Badgers outlasted the Lions 3-2 in double overtime on the road.
Ethan Spaxman scored twice, and Ethan Price and Connor Walters each added an assist on the game winner.
“Unbelievable win. I’m very proud of these guys,” head coach Marty Williamson said. “They worked hard.”
The Badgers advance to the semifinals where they meet the Western Mustangs, who overcame the Laurier Golden Hawks in two close games.
Brock hosts Game 1 on Wednesday at the Seymour-Hannah Sports Complex at 7:15 p.m.
Game 2 is in London Friday. If necessary, the Badgers host Game 3 on Sunday.
WOMEN BADGERS BATTLE GUELPH
The Brock Badgers (8-8-6-2) will battle the Guelph Gryphons (16-3-2-3) when the puck drops on the OUA women’s hockey playoffs Wednesday in Guelph. The Badgers host Game 2 on Friday at 7:15 p.m. If necessary, Game 3 returns to Guelph on Sunday.
“Guelph is a fantastic team to play against. We always enjoy our games against them,” said head coach Margot Page. “They are very skilled and play well as a group. It is the reason they are always in one of the top spots in the league every year.
CANADA GAMES
The 2021 Canada Games Host Society announced several organizational appointments Monday.
Barry Wright, an associate professor at Brock’s Goodman School of Business, will assume the role of chief executive officer, overseeing human resources, volunteer programming, finance, and sport and athlete services. The former Dean of the Goodman School has a PhD from Queen’s University.
As previously reported on by BPSN, Steve Katzman will be the chief revenue and marketing officer and will be in charge of marketing, communications, and revenue properties for the Games, including all community-related programming and events.
Nick Snow has been named the director of sport and athlete services. Snow was a former member of the 2015 Toronto Pan/Para-pan American Games. He also served as mission staff member and assistant chef de mission at the 2013, 2015, and 2017 Canada Games.
Vittoria Wikston has been appointed the senior manager, marketing and community developmen and will manage day-to-day marketing for the Games, focusing on community programming and stakeholder relations. Wikston has held senior positions with several important Niagara organizations such as White Oaks Resort, Niagara College, and Niagara Falls Tourism.
Members of the Games’ board of directors, led by Doug Hamilton, are Anthony Everett, Gervon Fearon, Elaine Roper, Wade Stayzer, Debbie Zimmerman, Liz Palmieri, David Veres, Mary Turner, Mario D’Uva, Sandie Bellows, Tom Arkell, Michele O’Keefe, Mary De Sousa, Carolyn Hurst, Tom Rankin, Michele-Elise Burnett and Karen Natho.
RANGERS TAKE TWO
The Niagara Rangers under-19 girls basketball team ran its Ontario Basketball League winning streak to four games by defeating Brantford 47-43 and Newmarket 48-40.
Leading the way in the two games with points and five or more items in other statistical categories were: Beth deBoer, 28 points and eight rebounds; Mackenzie Schroeder, 14 points and eight rebounds; Maddie Caughill, 11 points and five rebounds; Tess Puchalski, 10 points, nine rebounds and six steals; Emily Bonisteel, nine points and 10 rebounds; Rosie Tait, eight points and 12 rebounds; Maddie Coleman, five points and six rebounds; Josee Severin, eight points; and, Emily Braun, two points.
Next up for the Rangers is the MUMBA tournament.
JUNIOR C
The Niagara Riverhawks season came to an end as they dropped a 6-4 decision to the Hamilton Huskies who won the best-of-seven Provincial Junior Hockey League quarter-final series 4-2.
The Huskies jumped out to an early 2-0 lead before Dante Massi scored to put the Riverhawks on the board. The Huskies added a late goal to take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission.
The Riverhawks came out strong early in the second period tying the game at 3-3 with a pair of goals in less than a minute by Nick Volpatti and Keith Palmer.
Nick Volpatti
Hamilton regained the lead scoring two quick goals to take a 5-3 lead after 40 minutes of play.
The team’s exchanged goals in the third with Volpatti notching his second of the game
With the loss the Riverhawks were eliminated from the playoffs after having a 2-0 series lead.
“It’s disappointing for sure. We came out and started the series strong but ran into a hot goaltender and we just couldn’t seem to capitalize on our opportunities,” Riverhawks head coach Tim Barath said.
Hamilton now moves on to face Glanbrook in the semifinals. The other semifinal match will see Grimsby versus Hagersville.
Before the game several RiverHawks were recognized with league awards.
Mason Durant won the defenceman of the month award for January and Volpatti won the forward of the month for January for the Bloomfield division. Tim Barath won the coach of the year award for the league while Josh Urbshott won the defenceman of the year for the league and Volpatti won the most valuable player for the league.
