Historic Night for Mole as McCoys Outlast Gryphins in Shootout

Photo courtesy of Paul Wright

While the Wentworth Gryphins and Dundas Real McCoys battled in an ACHL classic Friday night that Dundas ultimately won in a shootout, the spotlight belonged to McCoys netminder Mike Mole. With five minutes remaining in the second period, the longtime goalie became the first in league history to reach 10,000 minutes played, picking up his 72nd career ACHL win in his 172nd game.

Dundas opened the scoring when Holden Doggett wrapped around the net just over six minutes into the game. Brad Bonello extended the McCoys' lead to two at 11:43, tipping home Doggett's shot. Just over a minute later, however, Remy Giftopoulos sent a wrister to the back of the net for Wentworth's first goal of the night. The Gryphins tied it at two when Marc-Anthony Simonetta picked off a pass and scored from the top of the crease.

With just under three minutes left in the opening frame, Doggett carried into the Wentworth zone and unleashed a long shot. Bonello collected the rebound and buried it into the open cage, giving the McCoys a 3-2 lead heading into the first intermission.

The scoring continued in the second period, with the teams combining for six goals. Mackenzie Wood restored Dundas' two-goal cushion just 52 seconds in, but the Gryphins answered with two straight—Giftopoulos' second of the game and Matt MacLeod's 14th of the season—to even the score. Momentum swung back when Justin DaSilva and Wood scored 75 seconds apart. Kyle Lewis capped the middle frame with 1:46 remaining, pulling Wentworth back within one.

Bonello completed his hat trick in the third period, converting a penalty shot at 7:13 after being hauled down on a breakaway. Lewis then notched his second of the game, bringing the Gryphins back within one with just over half the period remaining.

As the clock wound down, Wentworth applied heavy pressure and was rewarded when Tyler VanKleef scored his ninth of the season, tying the game at seven and forcing overtime.

In the extra frame, the Gryphins had quality chances—including starting on the power play—but couldn't solve Mole, sending the game to a shootout.

Mole stopped all three Wentworth shooters while Bonello sealed the victory with the shootout winner for Dundas.

Mole finished with 35 saves and the win, while Joe Murdaca—who made several outstanding saves throughout—stopped 39 of 46 shots in the loss.

Dundas returns to action Monday when they travel to Cambridge to face the Hornets in a Family Day matchup at 6:30 p.m. The game carries significant playoff implications for both teams battling for the final two postseason spots. The Gryphins continue their road trip on Saturday when they head to head to St. Catharines to face the Saints starting at 7:30p.m. at the Merritton Centennial Arena.

Upcoming Games
Saturday February 14
Wentworth at St. Catharines – 7:30pm

Monday February 16
St. Catharines at Stoney Creek – 2:30pm
Dundas at Cambridge – 6:30pm

Thursday February 19
Dundas at Wentworth – 7:30pm

Friday February 20
Wentworth at Cambridge – 8:00pm

Saturday February 21
Stoney Creek at St. Catharines – 7:30pm

Thursday February 26
Stoney Creek at Wentworth – 7:30pm

Friday February 27
St. Catharines at Dundas – 7:30pm

Saturday February 28
Wentworth at Stoney Creek – 6:30pm
Cambridge at St. Catharines – 7:30pm

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