Weekend junior B roundup: Falcons fall, Panthers upset Corvairs
The St. Catharines Falcons followed up their biggest win of the season with a lacklustre effort Sunday in Niagara Falls.
Less than 48 hours after knocking off the top-ranked Hamilton Kilty B’s 6-0, the Falcons lost a 5-4 shootout decision to the Canucks in Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, Golden Horseshoe Conference action at the Gale Centre.
“Disappointed with our play on the defensive side of the puck,” Falcons coach Tyler Bielby said. “Didn’t bear down on our chances early in the game. That combined with a poor defensive effort led to us getting down 4-1.”
Down by three goals early in the third, the Falcons stormed back with three goals in 10 minutes to tie the game and send in into overtime.
“Credit to the guys for not quitting and finding a way to score three unanswered goals in the third to tie it up,” Bielby said. “Came up short in the shootout, but we will take the point and break for Christmas.
“Hope the boys enjoy the down time with family and friends. We will get right back to work on Jan. 2 when we head to Welland.”
Jonah Boria, Blake Yetman, Logan O’Flannagan and Nate Robertson scored for St. Catharines.
Sam Ostafin, Ethan Walker, Owen Goodbrand and Michael Santini replied for the Canucks.
Falcons shooters Chris Reid, Yetman and Nicholas Rubino were stopped by Stephen Giansante in the shootout.
Goodbrand scored for the Falls while Zach Mambella was stopped by Josh Johnson.
Kilty B’s 3 Junior Canadians 2 OT
Dylan Abbamont netted his 20th of the season in overtime to lift the visiting Hamilton Kilty B’s past the Welland Junior Canadians Sunday night in Welland.
Nolan Underwood and Matthew Downie also scored for Hamilton.
Cameron Bauer netted both Welland goals.
Brayden McIntosh made 35 saves in net for the win.
Nico Balice kicked out 44 shots in goal for Welland in his debut for the Junior Canadians.
Panthers 2 Corvairs 1
Brayden Kelso was the difference, kicking out 49 of 50 shots, as the Pelham Panthers edged the visiting Caledonia Corvairs 2-1 Sunday afternoon in Pelham.
Jack Merkosky and Tyler Toomey scored for Pelham.
Ethan Doyle replied for the Corvairs.
SATURDAY
Meteors 4 Junior Canadians 2
Owen Kelley, Nathan Zadorozny, Josh Macchione and Josh DiFrancesco scored as the Fort Erie Meteors doubled the visiting Junior Canadians at the Leisureplex.
Ari Alakorpi and Patrick Cole replied for Welland.
Duncan Nichols-Delay was the winner in goal making 32 saves.
Keegan Jackson made 25 saves in goal for Welland.
Corvairs 2 Blackhawks 1
Jacob Macdonald scored both goals as the Caledonia Corvairs edged the visiting Thorold Blackhawks at the Haldimand Count Centre.
James Norton had a shutout until Dylan Pergentile scored for the Hawks with 54 seconds to play.
Noah Fortuna made 27 saves for the Hawks.
THIS WEEK
Monday
Fort Erie at Thorold, 7 p.m.
Welland at Hamilton, 7 pm.
Merry Christmas
STANDINGS
1. Hamilton 23-3-46
2. St. Catharines 25-5-0-1-41
3. Caledonia 18-7-1-1-38
4. Fort Erie 11-12-0-1-23
5. Pelham 11-15-22
6. Welland 10-14-2-22
7. Thorold 7-16-14
8. Niagara Falls 2-23-1-5
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