Golden Horseshoe roundup: Falcons, Mets win
Olivier Desroches had a goal and two assists as the St. Catharines Falcons defeated the Welland Junior Canadians 8-2 Sunday night in Welland. Photo by: BILL POTRECZ
Play resumed in the Golden Horseshoe Conference of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League Sunday after a two-week break for the Christmas holidays.
The Fort Erie Meteors and St. Catharines Falcons both came away with victories in Pelham and Welland, respectively.
Welland native Nicholas Rubino scored three times and also added two assists as the visiting Falcons topped the Junior Canadians 8-2 at the Welland Arena.
“Big effort from Rubino,” St. Catharines coach Tyler Bielby said. “Picked up five points and showed why he’s elite in our league.”
Noah Reinhart added two goals while singles came off the sticks of Sam Williamson, Kyle Glenney and Olivier Desroches. Williamson and Chris Reid each contributed three assists.
“Special cap tip to Noah Reinhart,” Bielby added. “Played his first junior game as an AP (associated player) for us and had two goals, one of which was a goal in any league. Nice to see the young guy have some success.”
Cameron Bauer and Ilia Chmelevski scored for Welland.
Andrew MacLean made 22 saves in net for St. Catharines.
Keegan Jackson faced 50 shots in goal for the Junior Canadians.
“Thought the effort was right there from puck drop,” Bielby said. “A little sloppy at times, but we will get back to practice after a couple weeks off and sort it out. Down the stretch it will be key to stay disciplined and out of the box.”
Meteors 7 Panthers 4
Kyle Adamo and Jayden Baldinelli collected two goals and two assists each as the Meteors topped the Pelham Panthers 7-4.
“It was good to be back,” Fort Erie coach/general manager Nik Passero said. “I thought we came out early with some good jump, obviously not easy to do after a 14-day break. Our top line came through for us with four goals and we had some good contributions from other guys.”
Marcus Regina, Nathan Zadorozny and Hunter Howell also scored while Joseph Macchione chipped in with four assists.
Duncan Nichols-Delay made 25 saves in goal for the win.
“It was good to see Hunter Howell net his first junior goal, exciting stuff for a Fort Erie boy,” Passero added.
Brydan Gibbs, Raine Hodge, Dawson Abrahams and Evan Gibbs replied for the Panthers.
John Burbidge permitted three goals on 19 shots in 28:45 minutes of play in goal for Pelham and was tagged with the loss.
THIS WEEK
Monday
Welland at Thorold, ppd.
Friday
Caledonia at St. Catharines, 7 p.m.
Fort Erie at Niagara Falls, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Thorold at Hamilton, 7 p.m.
Pelham at Fort Erie, 7:15 p.m.
St. Catharines at Caledonia, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday
Hamilton at Pelham, 2:45 p.m.
Niagara Falls at Welland, 7:05 p.m.
STANDINGS
1. Hamilton 23-3-46
2. St. Catharines 21-5-0-1-43
3. Caledonia 18-7-1-1-38
4. Fort Erie13-11-0-1-27
5. Pelham 11-16-22
6. Welland 10-15-2-22
7. Thorold 7-17-14
8. Niagara Falls 2-23-1-5
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