Stoney Creek Erases 3-0 Deficit and Never Looks Back

Friday night saw the J. Ross Robertson Cup playoffs get underway at the J.L. Grightmire Arena, as the Stoney Creek Tigers hosted the Dundas Real McCoys. Stoney Creek, the 2025-26 regular season champions, scored nine times from eight different players to defeat Dundas 9-4. The Tigers were led by Bo Webster and Cole Poliziani, who each had three points, while Mike Ruberto was the only Tiger to score multiple goals. For Dundas, Mackenzie Wood was the only player to record multiple points — a goal and two assists — in the loss.

It was the McCoys who got on the board first, and they stunned Stoney Creek by scoring the opening three goals of the game. Igor Gongalsky started the scoring at 2:51 of the first period, picking up a rebound and putting it into the open side of the net. Two minutes later, Wood blocked a pass, went in on a breakaway, and went top shelf. Nolan Sheeran then split the defense and scored at 7:37, giving Dundas a commanding 3-0 lead.

For the remainder of the game, though, it was all Tigers. It started with a power play tip-in by Ruberto at 11:14. Then, with 1:12 remaining in the opening period, Kyle Essery made it a one-goal game heading into the intermission.

It stayed that way until just past the halfway point of the second period, when Stoney Creek rattled off three goals in 3:15. Jordan Gignac scored on Mike Mole's short side at 10:55 to even the game at three. The tie lasted just 17 seconds, as Daniel Vella tapped in a rebound to give the Tigers their first lead of the game — one they would not relinquish. Dylan Madge completed the Stoney Creek surge with a snapshot goal at 14:10.

The McCoys had a great shorthanded chance late in the second, but Daniel Svedin made an outstanding save before Wood hit the post with an open cage. On the third attempt, though, the puck found the back of the net, with Brad Bonello getting credited for the goal. Andrew Whalen then converted on a late power play to send Stoney Creek into the second intermission up by two.

The Tigers put the game away in the third period, scoring three times as Cordell James, Bo Webster, and Ruberto all found the net for a 9-4 victory and a 1-0 series lead.

In goal, Svedin stopped 29 of 33 shots for the win, while Mole faced 46 shots, stopping 37, in the loss.

Stoney Creek will look to take a 2-0 series lead on Saturday night when Game 2 shifts to Stoney Creek Arena, with puck drop scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The other semifinal series gets underway Saturday night at the Merritton Centennial Arena in St. Catharines, where the Wentworth Gryphons take on the St. Catharines Saints at 7:30 p.m.

Upcoming Playoff Games
Saturday, March 7
Dundas at Stoney Creek – 6:30pm (Stoney Creek Arena) Game #2
Wentworth at St. Catharines – 7:30pm (Merritton Centennial Arena) Game #1

Thursday, March 12
St. Catharines at Wentworth – 7:30pm (Harry Howell Arena) Game #2

Friday, March 13
Stoney Creek at Dundas – 7:30pm (J.L. Grightmire Arena) Game #3

Saturday, March 14
Dundas at Stoney Creek – 6:30pm (Stoney Creek Arena) Game #4*
Wentworth at St. Catharines – 7:30pm (Merritton Centennial Arena) Game #3

Sunday, March 15
Dundas at Stoney Creek – 6:30pm (Stoney Creek Arena) Game #5*

Tuesday, March 17
St. Catharines at Wentworth – 7:30pm (Harry Howell Arena) Game #4*

Thursday, March 19
St. Catharines at Wentworth – 7:30pm (Harry Howell Arena) Game #5*

*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