Junior hockey roundup: IceDogs lose in OT; Junior B results; Riverhawks win
The Niagara IceDogs gave up a late goal in regulation before dropping a 6-5 overtime decision to the Guelph Storm in Ontario Hockey League action Thursday in St. Catharines.
The IceDogs trailed 4-3 after two periods before scoring twice to take a 5-4 lead in the third. The Storm tied the game with seven seconds remaining before Nick Suzuki scored two minutes into overtime to secure the extra point.
The IceDogs, who have dropped seven games in overtime this season, still lead the Central Division with 53 points. The Sudbury Wolves are second with 47 points.
Ben Jones paced Niagara with two goals while Kirill Maksimov, Oliver Castleman and Kyen Sopa added singles. Newly acquired Jack Studnicka picked up an assist.
Dimitri Samorukov, Mackenzie Entwistle, Liam Hawel, Nate Schnarr and Issac Ratcliffe scored in regulation for Guelph.
Before the game, the IceDogs announced they acquired goaltender Jake McGrath from the Sudbury Wolves in exchange for a fourth-round selection (2022, Windsor) and a conditional fifth-round selection (2023).
McGrath gives the IceDogs an experienced back up to starter Stephen Dhillon.
“This is an exciting pickup for us. Jake has been a starter for over two years in this league,” IceDogs general manager Joey Burke said. “He is used to pressure situations, and has the pedigree to provide us with a veteran stabilizing force to our goalie group.
“This move provides us with the depth we need with our goaltending to accomplish what we hope to this season.”
McGrath, in his third full season with the Wolves, has posted a goals against average of 3.83 and a save percentage of .890.
The IceDogs are home to Kingston Friday and in Sudbury Sunday.
JUNIOR B
Hawks 3 Panthers 2
Former Fort Erie Meteor Evan Miller’s power-play goal late in the third period was the difference as the Thorold Blackhawks edged the Pelham Panthers in a Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, Golden Horseshoe Conference game at Thorold Arena.
Jonathan Balah and Dylan Latty also scored for the Hawks.
Logan Warner and Chris Webber replied for the Panthers.
Newcomer Noah Fortuna, acquired from the Niagara Falls Canucks for goaltender Anthony Tremonte, made 18 saves to earn the win in his Thorold debut.
The Hawks, 14-18-1-2, are home to Welland next Thursday.
The Panthers are home to Welland Friday and in Welland Sunday.
Kilty B’s 3 Meteors 0
Cal Schell made 17 saves as the Hamilton Kilty B’s blanked the Fort Erie Meteors.
Derek Raposo, Lucas Thompson and Holden Rogers scored for the Kilty B’s.
Hamilton visits the St. Catharines Falcons Friday.
JUNIOR C
The Niagara Riverhawks have started 2019 with a 2-1 record.
After losing a 3-2 heartbreaker in overtime to the Port Dover Sailors on Jan. 3 at home, the team bounced back with a big 7-2 win over Dunnville the next night.
Thursday at the Gale Centre the Riverhawks downed the Hespeler Shamrocks 4-2 in Provincial Junior Hockey League action.
Jacob Saddler, Nick Volpatti, Tyler Seguin and Reid Lowe scored for Niagara.
The RiverHawks were 0-4 on the power play while the Shamrocks went 1-8.
The Riverhawks outshot Hespeler 39-29 with Matt Boere making 27 saves in the win, including some big saves in the first period while the Riverhawks were shorthanded.
“I liked how we came out strong in the first period, but seemed to lay back a bit in the second,” Riverhawks coach Tim Barath said. “We can’t afford to take any shifts off but happy we were able to pick up the two points.”
The Riverhawks travel to Hagersville on Saturday night before returning home next Thursday to take on the Glanbrook Rangers.
The Riverhawks currently sit in fifth spot in the Bloomfield Division with games in hand on Hagersville and Hamilton.
Notes: Boere was presented with the Bloomfield Division goaltender of month award for November prior to the start of the game.
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