Tigers Claw Past Saints

Stoney Creek and St. Catharines took to the ice on Family Day Monday and put on a show at the Allan Cup Hockey League's West Lincoln Showcase at West Lincoln Community Centre. Mike Ruberto of the Stoney Creek Tigers and Justin Brack of the St. Catharines Saints led their respective teams with four points each, showcasing the exceptional talent in the ACHL to a new fan base.

For the second consecutive game, the Saints opened the scoring on Brack's first of the contest 3:19 into the game on the power play. However, the one-goal lead lasted just 24 seconds as Josh Pietrantonio evened the score for Stoney Creek with his 13th of the year. Brack put St. Catharines back into the lead just over 13 minutes later. This time the lead lasted a little longer, but the Tigers responded with three goals over a span of 3 minutes, 39 seconds on tallies by Bo Webster, Ruberto, and Pietrantonio.

While the first period was high-scoring, the second was not, as each team tallied only once in the frame. The Saints struck first when Ryan Donovan picked off a pass and sent Tory McLean in on a solo breakaway. McLean beat the keeper to make it 4-3 at 2:51. Kyle Essery restored the Tigers' two-goal advantage a couple of minutes later with an unassisted marker.

St. Catharines regrouped during the intermission and once again collected the first goal of the period as Brack notched his third of the game and 13th of the season at 6:51 of the third. The Saints then tied the score at five just 73 seconds later on Niki Petti's fourth of the year. Not even a minute later, though, Stoney Creek regained the lead on Rhett Kingston's second of the year, which proved to be the game-winner.

The Tigers added two empty-net goals by Ruberto and Cole Poliziani to secure the 8-5 victory.

Matt Sagrott rebounded from his last outing for Stoney Creek, picking up his tenth win of the season while making 36 saves. Devon Popp took the loss in the Saints' net, allowing six goals on 49 shots.

With the victory, the Stoney Creek Tigers inch closer to clinching first place in the ACHL regular season, dropping their magic number to five points. For St. Catharines, they remain six points back of Cambridge, who are in action Monday night, for the final playoff spot with three games remaining.

Both teams will be back in action Saturday, February 21, when they meet at Merritton Centennial Arena in St. Catharines for their final regular-season matchup.

Upcoming Games

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

-- 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