Weekend junior B roundup: Panthers top Sailors; Meteors split
The Pelham Panthers showed this week they can play with the big boys.
The Panthers knocked off the second-place Ayr Centennials Thursday 4-3 and then followed it up with a convincing 4-1 win over the Port Colborne Sailors in Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League action Sunday afternoon in Pelham.
It was the third straight win for the Panthers, who improved to 19-23-5 and lead Brantford by one point for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Forward Owen Hunks, who had a goal and an assist Sunday, said the Panthers are hitting their stride at the perfect time with the playoffs around the corner.
“I think honestly we just got into that playoff mentality,” the 17-year-old Binbrook native said. “Everyone’s stepped up, every rookie, every veteran. We’re in the last stretch of games for the regular season, so everyone’s stepped up and filled their role and everyone’s contributed.
“Obviously feels really good to beat two good teams this weekend, but we know we can do it. It wasn’t a surprise to us. We know when we play hard, we’re going to beat these teams.”
Pelham head coach/assistant general manager Zac Rinaldo said the Panthers are at their best with their backs to the wall.
“I think the group that we have, they like to play very stressful, high demanding, high stake, high reward hockey,” he said. “I think when our lives are on the line, all these guys step up and I think that’s why we’re getting everybody’s best, because it’s kill or be killed.”
Hunks said it’s playoffs of bust for the Panthers.
“It’s very important. That’s what we’ve been working on all year,” the said. “Since the minute we came in here in the summer, it was to get to the playoffs and make stuff happen. We know we could, we just had to get to this point. So now everyone’s realizing we’re right there.”
Hunks trained with Rinaldo two years ago and joined the Panthers last season for the playoff run. He has put together a fine rookie season with 12 goals and 33 points in 43 games.
“I was always told never to be satisfied, because I want more,” he said. “Obviously I think I’m doing alright but I know there’s more and I can get more than that.”
Rinaldo feels the sky is the limit for Hunks.
“He’s brought raw, natural coachable skill,” Rinaldo said. “He’s got a beautiful shot and his speed — I don’t think he understands how fast he is — but he’s very, very very strong with his speed and he’s very coachable. He’s a leader. He hates to lose. He was playing AA like three years ago. So kudos to him and who his character is and how driven he is.
“He’s just been flourishing, especially these last five games. I think he’s really growing into his game, understanding what I’m trying to get out of him as well.”
The Panthers have three games remaining — at Port Thursday, at Caledon Saturday and home to Brantford Sunday at 7:15 p.m.
“I let the staff worry about the scoreboard,” Rinaldo said. “I just really focus on what we need to do and where we’re at. Obviously I’ll check in and see where other teams are at, but I’m so focused on our team.”
Francesco Sanita, Jack Havers and Zachary Bell added singles for Pelham.
Jalen Lobo replied for the Sailors.
Gabriel Longo made 33 saves for the Panthers.
Panther points: Pelham general manager Emelie Ficht celebrated her birthday Sunday.
METEORS SPLIT
The Fort Erie Meteors split a pair of home games, defeating the Cambridge Redhawks 4-3 Sunday night after dropping a 5-4 decision to the Caledonia Corvairs Saturday.
Tate Donald had two goals for the Mets Saturday while Hunter Coley and Aiden Zimmerman added singles.
John Lloyd made 27 saves for the win.
Coley, Jack Ryan, Sam Tonelli and Eric Cunningham scored versus Caledonia.
Lloyd kicked out 30 shots in the loss.
Ty McHutchion and Travis Houle had two goals each for Caledonia while Evan Bradacs also scored.
Keegan Jackson made 34 saves for the win.
The Meteors, 32-11-5, sit in third spot with 69 points, two points behind Ayr for second and three points in arrears of the St. Catharines Falcons for first.
All three teams have two games remaining in the regular season with the Meteors visiting the Falcons Friday.
THIS WEEK
THURSDAY
Pelham at Port Colborne, 7 p.m.
Caledonia at Ayr, 7 p.m.
Caledon at Hamilton, 7:07 p.m.
Cambridge at Brantford, 7:30 p.m.
FRIDAY
Fort Erie at St. Catharines, 7 p.m.
Welland at Caledon, 8 p.m.
SATURDAY
Ayr at Brantford, 2:30 p.m.
Fort Erie at Cambridge, 7 p.m.
St. Catharines at Caledonia, 7:30 p.m.
Pelham at Caledon, 8 p.m.
SUNDAY
Port Colborne at Welland, 7 p.m.
Brantford at Pelham, 7:15 p.m
End regular season
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