Falcons edge Kilty B’s in opener
The St. Catharines Falcons picked right up where they left off last season.
The defending Sutherland Cup champions opened the 2022/23 Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League season with a 3-2 victory over the Hamilton Kilty B’s at the Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena.
The game was a rematch of last year’s Golden Horseshoe Conference final won by the Falcons in six games.
“Was nice to start the season with a road win,” Falcons coach Tyler Bielby said. “It was a little sloppy and we have a lot of work to do. But it’s early and we will take the win.”
Following a scoreless first period, the Falcons opened the scoring less than a minute into the second when Nate Robertson scored. Rookie Parker Forlin, who assisted on the opener, potted his first junior goal at the 9:40 mark as St. Catharines took a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes.
“Parker Forlin made a statement in his rookie debut,” Bielby added. “Had a beautiful goal and an apple. His entire line (Robertson and Cameron Knight) was real good for us tonight. The two 20-year-old year olds gave the young guy the confidence to do his thing.”
Sophomore forward Chris Reid extended the Falcons lead to 3-0 with an early goal in the third.
Hamilton finally got on the board at the 2:14 mark of the third when Ryan Woodburn scored, then added another by Wolf Giles with three seconds remaining.
Josh Johnson made 29 saves in goal for the win.
“The boys were thrilled for him. Made some timely saves to allow us to build a lead and finish with a win,” Bielby said.
The Falcons host the Welland Junior Canadians Friday at 7 p.m. at the Seymour-Hanna Sports Complex in their home opener. The team will unveil their Sutherland Cup championship banner and present the players with their rings before the game.
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