GOJHL Showcase roundup
The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League Showcase wrapped up Sunday in Pelham. Photo by: BILL POTRECZ
The Fort Erie Meteors got back on track this weekend at the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League Showcase in Pelham.
The Mets edged the Leamington Flyers 4-3 in overtime Saturday and followed that up with a 7-1 victory over the Listowel Cyclones Sunday morning.
“Very proud of our guys,” Fort Erie coach/general manager Nik Passero said. “A very gutsy win on Saturday against a really well-coached team in Leamington with some great firepower.
“We found a way to win when it got tough.”
Rylan Masterson scored at the 4:26 mark of OT to give the Mets the win.
Marcus Regina, Yianni Koukouves and Joseph Macchione also scored for Fort Erie.
Brad DiTillio paced the Meteors Sunday with three goals while Dominic DiFrancesco, Caleb Bidgood, Sam Barrett and Doug Doren added singles. Regina chipped in with four assists.
“Sunday was a game where we had to bring our own energy with it being a morning game and we did,” Passero said. “Our older guys came through with a big day. DiTillio and Regina played a man’s game and really led the way.”
Josh Smith kicked out 29 shots for the win Saturday while rookie Nolan Lane made 24 saves in net for the win Sunday.
“Great goaltending by both guys this week,” Passero said.
Passero tipped his cap to the host Pelham Panthers for their work hosting the tournament.
“Tim (Pelham owner Tim Toffolo) and the staff at the GOJHL did an amazing job this weekend. It was a supremely run event,” Passero said.
SATURDAY
Falcons 3 Legionnaires 0
The St. Catharines Falcons rebounded from a pair of losses to blank the Sarnia Legionnaires.
“Was nice to get back into the win column,” Falcons coach Tyler Bielby said. “We challenged the boys to play with purpose and to execute the game plan. The result was a 3-0 win.”
Rookie Stephen Toltl made 22 saves to earn his first career junior shutout and win.
“Very happy for Stephen Toltl,” Bielby added. “He had a great weekend for us and it was important the boys showed up for him versus Sarnia.”
Colton Chipman, Nathan Robertson and Jonah Boria scored for the Falcons.
The Falcons, 4-2, are home to Hamilton Friday and in Welland Sunday.
“No grand prize is won this time of year, but the work and attention to detail at this time of year are all a part of the process,” Bielby said. “We enjoy the win and get right back to work on Tuesday to prepare for next weekend.”
Lincolns 8 Junior Canadians 3
The Welland Junior Canadians jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the second period before the St. Marys Lincolns rallied with five straight goals to take control.
Colton Colby, Owen Hendsbee and Brady Afelskie scored for Welland.
Michael Elliston collected two goals to pace the Lincolns.
Siskins 5 Canucks 2
The Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins scored twice in the third period to break open a close game and defeat the Niagara Falls Canucks.
Cameron Robillard and Diego Da Silva had the Niagara Falls goals.
Mateo Amaral had two goals while Jacob McEachern chipped in with four assists to lead the Siskins.
Vipers 4 Corvairs 3
Brody Gillis scored with under eight minutes to play to break a 3-3 tie and lift the LaSalle Vipers past the Caledonia Corvairs.
Brody LeBlanc had two goals and Tanner Hunt one for Caledonia.
SUNDAY
Junior Canadians 3 Bandits 2 OT
Daniel Thomas scored 2:27 into overtime to give Welland the win over the Branford Bandits.
Hendsbee and Kevin Gould also scored for the winners.
Taylor Boudreau and Dylan Wardell netted the Brantford goals.
Andrew Welch made 15 saves for the win.
Welland peppered Brantford goaltender Dylan Dewatcher with 51 shots.
Kilty B’s 6 Stars 5
Six players hit the scoresheet as the Hamilton Kilty B’s edged the St. Thomas Stars.
Zach Vaillancourt, Wolf Giles, Brodie McIntyre, Connor Haynes, and Justin Monteith scored for Hamilton.
Andrew Seminara paced St. Thomas with a pair of goals.
Legionnaires 3 Panthers 1
The Sarnia Legionnaires broke open a tight game with three goals in the third period to edge the Pelham Panthers.
Jordan Adams opened the scoring for Pelham in the second period before Jace McGrail, Jake MacLean and Ryan Richardson replied for Sarnia.
Keegan Jackson made 36 saves in a losing effort for the Panthers.
Kings 6 Hawks 5
The Thorold Blackhawks fell to 1-5 with a loss to the Komoka Kings.
Daniel Vasic and Izayah Luddington gave the Blackhawks a 2-1 lead after one before the Kings responded with three straight goals to take a 4-2 lead.
Dylan Pergentile added two and Nathan Kelly one for the Hawks who rallied with a pair of late goals.
Bradley Boville permitted six goals on 29 shots in goal for Thorold before Christian Lynch took over and did not permit a goal on four shots.
THIS WEEK
Thursday
Fort Erie at Hamilton, 7 p.m.
Pelham at Caledonia, 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Pelham at Niagara Falls, 7 p.m.
Hamilton at St. Catharines, 7 p.m.
Welland at Thorold at Port Colborne, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Niagara Falls at Fort Erie, 7 p.m.
Thorold at Caledonia, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday
Caledonia at Pelham, 2:45 p.m.
St. Catharines at Welland, 7 p.m.
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