Junior B roundup: Falcons reset; Meteors back on track
The St. Catharines Falcons won two of three games last week to improve to 8-3. File Photo: BILL POTRECZ
It was a classic up and down week for the St. Catharines Rankin Construction Falcons.
The Falcons dropped a 6-4 decision at home Tuesday before recovering to defeat the Brantford Titans 3-0 Thursday in Brantford and then edge the Welland Junior Canadians 3-2 at home Friday night.
“Port Colborne always brings their best,” Falcons president of hockey operations/coach Tyler Bielby said. “I think in that game we got outworked and they wanted it more and that ended up being the difference. After the game I reminded the boys if we don’t work and we don’t compete we’re not going to win many hockey games.”
The Falcons shook off that effort later in the week.
“I think that was the big difference on Thursday and Friday. I liked our compete as a team and we found a way to get back on the winning track,” Bielby said.
The Falcons are off to a solid start at 8-3 and are tied for first place in the Eastern Conference of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League with the Caledonia Corvais, who own one game in hand.
Bielby feels his club has shown the necessary character to contend for a top spot so far.
“I think we’re still going to do some learning, but when all is said and done, it’s how these kids react to these moments of adversity early in the season,” Bielby said. “We’re very thankful for our group. We do have a group that wants to learn in the name of losing and seems to answer when things aren’t going well. That’s a big sign for us because it’s an imperfect game and it’s how you respond when you’re off.”
Juan Agromayor had two and Kaleb Lyttleton one versus Brantford. Rookie Jake Ceranic made 16 saves for his first junior shutout.
Friday, Treyson Dewar had two and Trent Vaillancourt one while Ceranic earned the win with 21 saves.
“With the news of Hayden Jefferey (signing with Niagara IceDogs) we thought it was important to let Jake have his moment and build some confidence and get into a rhythm,” Bielby said
Bielby said it is still too early to tell how Jeffery’s signing will impact his playing time with the Falcons.
“At this point we’re willing to expect anything without knowing much,” he said. “He’s got an opportunity with (Owen) Flores being suspended in the short term and we’ll see what he makes of that opportunity. We know he’s only a call away.”
The Falcons have goaltenders they can call up from minor hockey to back up Ceranic if necessary.
“This news hits fast. You have to start planning and preparing as if you wouldn’t retain him but I do feel Hayden will be around for sure,” Bielby said.
METS WIN TWO
The Fort Erie Meteors rebounded from a pair of losses last week with two convincing wins.
Kyle Adamo had two goals while Zac Mizzi, Caleb Bidgood, Ben Arnold, Hunter Coley, Aiden Zimmerman, Danny Adamo and Rylan Masterson added singles as the Mets defeated the visiting Titans 9-2 Saturday night.
Friday in Caledon, Kyle Adamo netted two while Chris Reid, Danny Adamo, Coley and Sam Tonelli scored in. A 6-1 victory.
Finn Moffet and Nathan Boudreau each earned a win in goal.
“A really good bounce back weekend, had all four lines going both nights,” Fort Erie general manager/coach Nik Passero said. “Two big nights from Kyle Adamo, which is huge to get him going if we are going to be successful.”
SATURDAY
Sailors 5 RedHawks 3
Port Colborne Sailors: Easton Lynds (5); Vasily Serov (3); Andrew Kennedy (2); Joshua Lamb (1).
Cambridge RedHawks: Cameron Fries 2 (3,4); Will Bray (3).
Corvairs 6 Bombers 2
Caledonia Corvais: Brody Leet 2 (3,4); Tyler Clark 2 (2,3); Luc Gauvreau (3); Evan Bradacs (2).
Caledon Bombers Patrick Polaczek (4); Luca Morra (1).
SUNDAY
Centennials 3 Panthers 2
Ayr Centennials: Ryan McKellar (6); Jordan Charron (3); Ethan Stover (2).
Pelham Panthers: Rylan Leslie (3); Ryan Wercholaz (1).
Corvairs 5 Junior Canadians 2
Caledonia Corvairs: Evan Bradacs 2 (3, 4); Brody Leet (5); Tyler Clark (4); Sami Douglas-Najem (1).
Junior Canadians: Jack Ryan (10); Ryder Graves (2).
THIS WEEK
WEDNESDAY
Cambridge at Fort Erie, 7 p.m.
Pelham at Ayr, 7 p.m.
THURSDAY
Cambridge at Hamilton, 7:07 p.m.
FRIDAY
Hamilton at St. Catharines, 7 p.m
Welland at Port Colborne, 7 p.m.
SATURDAY
Fort Erie at Cambridge, 7 p.m.
Port Colborne at Caledonia, 7:30 p.m.
SUNDAY
St. Catharines at Pelham, 2:45 p.m.
Ayr at Welland, 7 p.m.
Fort Erie at Caledonia, 7:30 p.m.
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