Friday Junior B roundup: Falcons, Blackhawks, Kilty B’s prevail (updated)

Colton Chipman netted the winner Friday as the St. Catharines Falcons edged the Welland Junior Canadians. File photo: BILL POTRECZ.

Colton Chipman’s goal with three minutes remaining broke a 3-3 tie and lifted the St. Catharines Falcons to a 4-3 win over the Welland Junior Canadians in Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League action Friday night in St. Catharines. 

Welland jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Brady Afelskie and Peter Spameni.

The Falcons tied things up at 2-2 when Jonah Boria and Blake Yetman scored in the second period. Welland regained the lead when Liam Legault scored halfway through the third before Yetman tied it back up at 3-3, setting the stage for Chipman’s winner.

“Good character win for the team,” St. Catharines coach Tyler Bielby said. “The effort was there for most of the night but we struggled to find the net early. This time of year everything is a learning lesson. Tonight the boys learned they could erase a two-goal deficit and find a way to win. We also learned we don’t want to always be chasing the lead. Need to keep working in practice and be in the right spots to create those offensive looks. If we stay focused on getting to the net and bearing down on our chances, we won’t be in a position to come from behind.”

Bielby also wants the Falcons to realize how important it is to stay out of the penalty box,

“Another takeaway from tonight was our lack of discipline. Heading into the game we were the least penalized team in our league. That is something we should take pride in. We got away from that discipline tonight and it almost cost us two points.”

Stephen Toltl picked up the win with 30 saves for the Falcons. 

Stanley Mannell made 40 saves in a losing cause.

The Falcons are in Fort Erie Saturday.

Blackhawks 5 Panthers 2

The Thorold Blackhawks got back into the win column with a 5-2 win at home over the Pelham Panthers Friday night at the Vale Centre in Port Colborne.

Rookie Daniel Vasic scored three times for the Blackhawks, who broke a 2-2 deadlock with three goals in the third.

Brendan Grenville added Thorold’s other two goals.

Lucas Jasmins and Dawson Abrahams replied for Pelham.

Christian Lynch made 28 saves for the win.

Keegan Jackson faced 36 shots in goal for Pelham.

The teams square off again Sunday afternoon at 2:45 p.m. in Pelham.

Kilty B’s 5 Canucks 3

Justin Monteith had three goals as the visiting Hamilton Kilty B’s edged the Niagara Falls Canucks Friday at the Gale Centre.

Nathan Phillips and Keegan Driscoll also scored for the winners.

Benjamin Kay, Kyle Caron and Alexander Hebblethwaite scored for the Canucks.

David Egorov made 23 saves for the win.

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