Weekend junior B roundup: Mets split; Junior Canadians win first game
The Fort Erie Meteors split their first two games of the 2022/23 Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League season, defeating the Niagara Falls Canucks 4-3 Friday before dropping a 3-2 decision to the Hamilton Kilty B’s Saturday at the Leisureplex.
“It was a weekend to feel out what kind of team we have,” Meteors coach/general manager Nik Passero said. “Thought we were resilient on Friday after (goalie Josh Smith) Smitty made some big saves for us in the first.”
Jayden Baldinelli scored the winner at the 13:09 mark of the third.
Brad Ditillio, Joseph Macchione and Josh DiFrancesco also scored for the Mets.
“Was nice to see the scorers from last year get on the board early for us,” Passero said.
Benjamin Kay, Diego De Silva and Tighe Frazee replied for Niagara Falls.
Saturday, the Kilty B’s rallied from a 2-0 deficit to earn their first win of the season.
Marcus Regina and Sam Barrett gave Fort Erie a 2-0 lead before Jack Lowry and Nathan Phillips tied the game at 2-2 for Hamilton. Keegan Driscoll then netted the winner with 47 seconds remaining.
“Saturday was disappointing for sure,” Passero said. “Felt we let our emotions get the better of us and a costly mistake sunk us. I expect the leadership group to get us back on track for Monday.”
The Meteors travel to Caledonia Monday.
SATURDAY
Corvairs 6 Panthers 0
Josh Branton made 20 saves for the shutout as the Caledonia Corvairs blanked the visiting Pelham Panthers Saturday night at the Haldimand County Centre.
Six players — Dylan Dekoe, Cam Kay, Damon Decaire, Liam Shwedyk, Thomas Shain and Brayden Russell — scored for the Corvairs who improved to 2-0.
Cameron Johnston faced 46 shots in net for Pelham.
SUNDAY
Canucks 3 Panthers 1
Isaac Westlake scored a pair of goals as the visiting Niagara Falls Canucks edged the Pelham Panthers Sunday afternoon in Pelham.
Jake McKinstray also scored for Niagara Falls which evened its record at 1-1.
Luca Marandola replied for Pelham.
Mihailo Corovic made 33 saves for the win.
Keegan Jackson turned back 33 shots for the Panthers.
Junior Canadians 5 Blackhawks 3
Cody Miskolczi scored three goals as the Welland Junior Canadians evened their record at 1-1 with a win over the visiting Thorold Blackhawks Sunday.
Daniel Thomakos scored the other two goals for Welland which rallied from a 2-0 early deficit.
Grayson Gare, Dylan Pergentile and Christiano Stogiannis answered for the Blackhawks who dropped to 0-2.
Former Hawk Nico Balice made 26 saves for the win.
THIS WEEK
MONDAY
Fort Erie at Caledonia, 7:30 p.m.
THURSDAY
Caledonia at Hamilton, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY
Pelham at St. Catharines, 7 p.m.
Welland at Niagara Falls, 7 p.m.
Fort Erie at Thorold at Port Colborne, 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
Thorold at Fort Erie, 7 p.m.
Hamilton at Caledonia, 7:30 p.m.
SUNDAY
St. Catharines at Pelham, 2:45 p.m.
Niagara Falls at Welland, 7 p.m.
Dear reader. If you liked this story or one of the 4,400 other stories found on our website, please consider hitting the Support Us button on the right-hand side of our home page and making a PayPal contribution to our website. Your support would be much appreciated. If you are a business owner, please consider advertising on our site. Our rates are reasonable and we provide plenty of exposure for your business. Contact bpotrecz@outlook.com for more information.
