Weekend sports: Avs force Game 7; Niagara JUEL goes 3-0; River Lions fall to Titans
The Ancaster Avalanche forced Game 7 with a 2-1 win over the St. Catharines Falcons Saturday night at the Morgan Firestone Arena.
The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey, Golden Horseshoe Conference best-of-seven semifinal playoff is now tied 3-3.
Game 7 goes Monday at Jack Gatecliff Arena but the Falcons could be without up to four of their top forwards after Kyle West, Michael Davies, Dakota Miskolczi and Carson Edwardson were all ejected and suspended for a variety of infractions. The Falcons are asking for a review of West’s checking from behind penalty so he may be eligible for Game 7.
“It’s 3-3 because of the penalties,” Falcons general/manager coach Frank Girhiny said. “Guys are taking bad penalties and we’re paying for it.
“I told the players at the end of the game we’ll have the right guys in the lineup to win and we feel real confident.”
The home team has come out the winner in each game in the series.
“They play a little different. They spread things out and you can do that in their rink,” Girhiny said of the home-ice advantage. “That’s why we worked so hard to get home ice.”
Girhiny indicated Jack Venneri, Carson Eden and midgets Spencer Smith and Holden Rogers will be inserted into the lineup. As well, defenceman Andrew Somerville may see some action up front.
“We’re going to deal with it and work with it,” Girhiny said. “I know they’re going to give 100 per cent and we don’t have to worry about them taking stupid penalties. They’ll play hard to the whistle.
“I truly believe we’re in good shape.”
Luke Croucher scored early in the first for the Avalanche before Davies tied the game with a short-handed marker three minutes into the second. Benjamin Woodhouse scored a short-handed goal for the Avs later in the period which proved to be the winner.
St. Catharines outshot Ancaster 33-29.
The winner will move on to face the Caledonia Corvairs for the league championship. Game 1 is slated for Wednesday in Caledonia.
NIAGARA JUEL 3-0 AT HOME
The Niagara JUEL girls basketball team was perfect 3-0 in its home weekend with victories over Blessed Sacrament, Simcoe County and Hamilton Transway.
Against Blessed Sacrament, Niagara grabbed a 20-3 first-quarter lead on the way to a 71-61 victory. Leading the way for Niagara were: Julia Colavecchia, 17 points and three assists; Beth Howlett, 14 points; Viktoria Cubelic, 10 points and nine boards; Tatyanna Burke, eight points, eight rebounds and six steals; Destiny Paquin, six points, three rebounds and three assists; Taylor Doyle, six points and three rebounds; and, Emily Braun, five points and five rebounds.
Playing Simcoe County, Niagara trailed 30-22 at the half before rebounding to win 63-59. Top performers for Niagara were: Howlett, 12 points; Kaley DeMont, 11 points and three assists; Burke, nine points, seven rebounds, five steals and six assists; Colavecchia, eight points and eight rebounds; and, Cubelic, nine points and eight offensive rebounds.
Against Transway, Niagara outscored its opponent 27-10 in the fourth quarter to win 82-72. Performing well for Niagara were: DeMont, 16 points and five assists; Howlett, 14 points; Cubelic, 10 points and 11 rebounds; Burke, eight points, nine rebounds and three assists; Colavecchia, 10 points and five rebounds; Elle Cooney, 10 points and four rebounds; Paquin, nine points; and, Braun, five points.
Niagara is tied for fourth place in the league standings with Kingston with a 9-5 record.
RIVER LIONS DROP TWO
The Niagara River Lions fell to 15-22 on the season following a pair of home losses this past week in National Basketball League of Canada action.
On Thursday, Niagara lost 118-103 to the St. John’s Edge. Playing well for Niagara were: Sam Muldrow, 22 points; Kris Joseph, 15 points and six assists; Jaylon Tate, 13 points and 11 assists; and, Dwayne Smith, 10 points and five rebounds. Top scorers for St. John’s were Xavier Ford (24), Wally Elenson (21), Charles Hinkle (21) and Jarryn Skeete (20).
On Saturday, the River Lions fell 126-107 to the KW Titans. Top performers for the River Lions were: Tate, 22 points and seven assists; Joe Rocca, 14 points and five boards; Connor Wood, 14 points; Adam Klie, 13 points, six rebounds and five assists; and, Guillaume Boucard, 13 points and six rebounds. Top scorers for the Titans were: Justin Hurtt (23), Ed Horton (22) and former River Lion Tramar Sutherland (21)
SUPPORT US
On the right side of our web site, you will notice a yellow SUPPORT US button.
We are asking anyone who finds value in our work and is able to financially help us to click on the button and contribute whatever amount you feel is appropriate and can afford. There is no set amount. Any amount is appreciated.
The funds collected will be used to enhance and offset the expenses of running the web site.
