Gryphins & Tigers Play OT Thriller In Cup Rematch

For the first time this season, the Wentworth Gryphins and Stoney Creek Tigers renewed their rivalry following an epic Robertson Cup Finals series earlier this year. The teams picked up right where they left off with another thriller, this one needing extra time, and the Gryphins came out on top 4-3 when Tate Popple scored his second goal of the contest.

Popple opened the scoring just 2:40 into the game to give Wentworth the early lead. The Tigers tied it at one on Dylan Madge’s goal nearly six minutes later, but the Gryphins regained the lead 1:49 after that when Kyle Lewis found the back of the net. All three first-period scorers notched their first goals of the season, and Wentworth took a 2-1 lead to the dressing room after 20 minutes.

The second period was scoreless, but the temperature rose as the teams battled. The next goal didn’t come until 6:13 into the third, when Dan Poliziani tied the game at two with a short-handed marker for Stoney Creek. Just 43 seconds later, Riley MacRae restored the Gryphins’ lead with his third goal of the season, a power-play tally.

Like in their playoff series six months ago, Stoney Creek refused to go away. Mike Ruberto scored his league-leading fourth goal of the season to tie the game once again with just over five minutes remaining in regulation.

The teams headed to overtime, and it was Popple who delivered the game winner with 1:23 left in the extra frame, lifting Wentworth to 2-0-0-0 on the year while the Tigers fell to 1-0-1-0.

Joe Murdaca earned his second win in as many games, turning aside 38 of 41 shots. In the overtime loss, Matt Sagrott stopped 29 shots in his first start of the season for Stoney Creek.

The Gryphins remain at home and will host the Dundas Real McCoys (0-2-0-0) on three straight Thursdays, starting November 5th at the Harry Howell Arena. Puck drop for each game is 7:30pm. The Tigers return to the Stoney Creek Arena on Saturday, November 7th to host the St. Catharines Saints (1-1-0-0) at 6:30pm.

Scoring
1st Period
Wentworth – Tate Popple (1), Riley MacRae – 2:40
Stoney Creek – Dylan Madge (1), Chris Knighton – 8:21
Wentworth – Kyle Lewis (1), Brett Flemming, Tate Popple – 10:10

2nd Period
No Scoring

3rd Period
Stoney Creek – Dan Poliziani (1), Jordan Gignac – 6:13 SHG
Wentworth – Riley MacRae (3), Eric Diodati – 6:56 PPG
Stoney Creek – Mike Ruberto (4), Chase Spenser, Dan Poliziani – 14:46

Overtime
Wentworth – Tate Popple (2), Anthony Luciani – 3:37

Upcoming Games
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