Freeman’s Hat Trick Leads Saints To Victory

Photo by Paul Wright

Cody Freeman scored three times and teammate Justin Brack added two as the St. Catharines Saints picked up an 8-5 win over the Dundas Real McCoys in their home opener on Saturday night, evening their record at 1-1-0-0. Holden Doggett scored twice and Nolan Sheeran added a goal and two assists for Dundas, who fall to 0-2-0-0.

Danny Attridge gave the McCoys an early lead just over three minutes in, scoring for a second straight game. From there, St. Catharines took over. Ryan Donovan tied it on the power play just over two minutes later, and Freeman notched his first of the night with just two seconds left in the opening period.

The Saints wasted no time in the second, as Freeman struck 23 seconds in to make it 3-1. Brack and Tory McLean stretched the lead to 5-1 before Doggett got one back with 81 seconds remaining in the period.

In the third, Freeman completed the hat trick at 8:58, scoring what would stand as the game-winning goal. Paul Cianfini and Doggett scored 41 seconds apart, at 12:10 and 12:51, to give Dundas some life. However, Brack effectively ended any comeback hopes with his second of the game at 15:01, followed by a Cam Stewart goal just over a minute later. The McCoys added one last goal on the power play, off the stick of Sheeran.

Trevor Micucci earned the win in the Saints’ net, stopping 17 of 22 shots. At the other end, Mario Cavaliere took the loss in his Dundas debut, making 41 saves.

St. Catharines is now off until Friday, November 6th, when they hit the road to face the Cambridge Hornets (1-1-0-0) at Galt Arena Gardens at 7:45 pm. The Real McCoys continue their five-game road trip to open the season with a visit to the Wentworth Gryphins on Thursday, November 5th at Harry Howell Arena. Puck drop is 7:30 pm.

Scoring
1st Period
Dundas – Danny Attridge (2), unassisted – 3:38
St. Catharines – Ryan Donovan (2), Justin Brack, David Pacan – 5:58 PPG
St. Catharines – Cody Freeman (1), David Pacan, Tory McLean – 19:58

2nd Period
St. Catharines – Cody Freeman (2), Tory McLean, David Pacan – 0:23
St. Catharines – Justin Brack (1), David Pacan, Johnny Curran – 8:49 PPG
St. Catharines – Tory McLean (1), Ryan Donovan, Johnny Curran – 16:46 PPG
Dundas – Holden Doggett (1), Cameron Hatziioannou – 18:39

3rd Period
St. Catharines – Cody Freeman (3), David Pacan – 8:58
Dundas – Paul Cianfini (1), Nolan Sheeran – 12:10
Dundas – Holden Doggett (2), Nolan Sheeran, Danny Attridge – 12:51
St. Catharines – Justin Brack (2), Johnny Curran, JJ Martin – 15:01
St. Catharines – Cam Stewart (1), Brendan Guignard, Ryan Donovan – 16:09
Dundas – Nolan Sheeran (1), Noah Czyzewski – 17:59 PPG

Upcoming Games
Thursday October 29
Stoney Creek at Wentworth – 7:30pm | Harry Howell Arena

Thursday November 5
Dundas at Wentworth – 7:30pm | Harry Howell Arena

Friday November 6
St. Catharines at Cambridge – 7:45pm | Galt Arena Gardens

Saturday November 7
St. Catharines at Stoney Creek – 6:30pm | Stoney Creek Arena

Thursday November 12
Dundas at Wentworth – 7:30pm | Harry Howell Arena

Friday November 13
Stoney Creek at Cambridge – 7:45pm | Galt Arena Gardens

Saturday November 14
Stoney Creek at St. Catharines - 7:30pm | Merritton Centennial Arena

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For more information contact Allan Cup Hockey Commissioner Rick Richardson at 905-328-4727 or email: rickystar911@outlook.com