McCoys Score Come From Behind Shootout Win

Photo courtesy of Paul Wright

In their first game against each other, back in October, the Stoney Creek Tigers dismantled the Dundas Real McCoys 10-3. However, in their second meeting of the season, this time in Dundas, it was the Real McCoys coming away with the 4-3 victory in a shootout. It marks the first time game to be decided by a shootout in the ACHL in nearly six years.

Brad Bonello, who was playing in his first game of the season after playing on the Shoresy Tour, made an impact right away, scoring just 100 seconds into the contest for the McCoys lead. However, from there it was all Stoney Creek in the first period as the Tigers scored three times in a 2:08 span. Josh Pietrantnio’s eighth of the year tied the game at one at 7:08 before Mitchell Reid gave the visitors the lead at 8:31. Dan Poliziani closed out the scoring in the first, making it 3-1 at the 9:16 mark of the opening period.

Dundas’ special teams would take over the rest of the game with Holden Doggett scoring shorthanded at 16:44 of the second period and Bonello notched his second of the game on the power play with 12:28 left in the third. With no other goals being scored the teams headed to overtime.

Neither team would score in the extra frame, much less get a shot on net, sending the game to a shootout. The shootout would be the first in the ACHL since February 7^th, 2020, when the Brantford Blast defeated the Whitby Dunlops in a nine-round shootout.

Stoney Creek’s first two shooters, Dylan Madge and Bo Webster, would be stopped on their attempts. For the McCoys, Mackenzie Wood was stopped on the first shot, but Bonello gave his squad the lead with a goal. Cordell James was the last chance for the Tigers and scored putting the pressure on Dundas. Nolan Sheeran was the McCoys’ third shooter and scored the game winner.

Mike Mole got the win in the Dundas crease, stopping 25 of 28 shots he faced on the night. For the Tigers, Matt Sagrott took the loss, allowing three goals on 38 shots.

Stoney Creek is back in action on Saturday night when they will host the St. Catharines Saints at the Stoney Creek Arena. This will use up their game in hand on the Wentworth Gryphins who they are tied with for first place. The McCoys next game will be at the J.L. Grightmire Arena on Friday, January 16^th when they host the Gryphins.

Upcoming Games
Saturday January 10
St. Catharines at Stoney Creek – 6:30pm

Thursday January 15
Stoney Creek at Wentworth – 7:30pm

Friday January 16
Wentworth at Dundas – 7:30pm
St. Catharines at Cambridge – 8:00pm

Saturday January 17
Dundas at Stoney Creek – 6:30pm
Cambridge at St. Catharines – 7:30pm

Thursday January 22
Dundas at Wentworth – 7:30pm

Friday January 23
Stoney Creek at Dundas – 7:30pm

Follow the Allan Cup Hockey League social media on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Bluesky.

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