Stoney Creek Holds On For Win Over Gryphins

In what could be a preview of the Robertson Cup championship, the Stoney Creek Tigers and Wentworth Gryphins went to battle on the ice at the Harry Howell Arena. The teams combined for nine goals in a wild third period, but it was Stoney Creek pulling out the win to clinch first place in the Allan Cup Hockey League regular season. Cole Poliziani had a four-point night for the Tigers while Wentworth got a four-point performance from Alex Hutchings.

The Gryphins had the advantage on home ice after one period, with Tyler VanKleef and Kevin Harvey opening and closing the scoring in the frame while Stoney Creek's Andrew Whalen scored on the power play between them. Stoney Creek then took control of the contest in the second period on goals by Mike Ruberto, Justin Abraham, Nicholas D'Agostino and Poliziani for a 5-2 lead.

In the third, special teams were front and centre as the teams each scored a pair of power play markers in the first eight minutes of the period. The Tigers got theirs from Poliziani and Jordan Gignac before Hutchings and Matt MacLeod responded for Wentworth just 45 seconds apart.

The goals kept coming for the Gryphins as Kevin Dallman scored 17 seconds later, and then 96 seconds after that, Michael Lomas made it a one-goal game. Ruberto would score at 11:11 of the third to give Stoney Creek a two-goal cushion once again.

Wentworth ramped up the pressure late in the game, getting back within a goal on Lomas' 14th of the year. They continued to press for the equaliser, but Whalen put the game away with 28 seconds remaining to seal the victory.

Matt Sagrott earned the win between the pipes for Stoney Creek, making 39 saves while allowing seven goals. At the other end of the ice, Joe Murdaca took the loss, surrendering nine goals on 39 shots.

The teams will wrap up their regular season schedule on Saturday night with a return engagement at the Stoney Creek Arena, with puck drop set for 6:30 p.m.

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

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

-- End of Regular Season --

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