Gryphins Survive Tigers Comeback For OT Win

If you were at the Stoney Creek Arena on Saturday night for Game 1 of the Robertson Cup Final, you may want a partial refund for your seat — because you only needed the edge of it all night. The Stoney Creek Tigers and the Wentworth Gryphins put on a game that had everything: drama, action, mystery, and a massive comeback. When it was all said and done, it was Alex Hutchings collecting his fifth point of the night and the overtime winner to give Wentworth the opening game of the series.

The Gryphins came out swinging in the opening period, erupting for four goals before the ten-minute mark and showcasing their special teams ability. The first goal came just 2:55 into the game when Remy Giftopoulos struck shorthanded. Matt MacLeod doubled the lead on a power play goal under two minutes later. Ryan Foss then collected his first of the postseason at 6:59 to push Wentworth ahead 3-0. The lead stretched to four at 9:40 when Michael Lomas scored with the man-advantage.

Before the period could end, Paul Geiger got Stoney Creek on the board with a power play goal, and with it, a shift in momentum.

The Tigers carried that momentum into the second period, with Geiger notching his second of the game just 24 seconds into the frame. Giftopoulos restored the three-goal lead at 5:44, but Cordell James answered with his third goal of the postseason on the power play just over two minutes later. Wentworth would reclaim their four-goal advantage and push it to five on goals from Hutchings, MacLeod, and Elijah Roberts — all scored within a breathtaking two minutes and twenty-five seconds — taking an 8-3 lead into the second intermission.

The third period belonged to the Tigers. Darren McCormick got things started just 17 seconds in, and Stoney Creek then went to work on the power play, scoring three straight man-advantage goals. Dan Poliziani found the back of the net for his first of the postseason at 3:44, before Andrew Whalen brought the Creekers back within two at the 9:03 mark.

It remained a two-goal game until Cordell James scored at 17:25 on a 6-on-4 with Stoney Creek pulling their goaltender while on the power play, cutting the Gryphins' lead to one. Kyle Essery then sent the home crowd into a frenzy, again with the goaltender pulled, scoring at 19:26 to tie the game at eight and force overtime.

Stoney Creek had a golden opportunity to end it early in the extra frame, but a backhand attempt sailed over a wide-open net. Wentworth made them pay, with Hutchings converting the winner just over a minute later. It was Hutchings' second overtime goal of the postseason — only the third time in league playoff history that a player has accomplished that feat in a single postseason run.

Matthew Camilleri earned the win in goal for Wentworth, stopping 47 of 55 shots. At the other end, Matt Sagrott started for Stoney Creek and was pulled after 40 minutes, having surrendered eight goals on 29 shots. Josh Roman took over for the final 23 minutes, making seven saves but allowing the game-winner.

The series shifts to the Harry Howell Arena for Game 2 of the best-of-five on Thursday, March 26th. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Upcoming Schedule
Thursday, March 26 – Game 2
Stoney Creek at Wentworth – 7:30pm

Saturday, March 28 – Game 3
Wentworth at Stoney Creek – 6:30pm

Thursday, April 2 – Game 4*
Stoney Creek at Wentworth – 7:30pm

Saturday, April 4 – Game 5*
Wentworth at Stoney Creek – 6:30pm

* - If Necessary

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