Falcons knock off Corvairs again

Netminder Owen Savory made 36 saves as the St. Catharines Falcons doubled the Caledonia Corvairs Friday. PHOTO BY: BERNIE PUCHALSKI

There is something about the Caledonia Corvairs that brings out the best in the St. Catharines Falcons.

For the third time this season the Falcons knocked off the defending champions, this time 6-3 in a

in a Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, Golden Horseshoe Conference game Friday at Jack Gatecliff Arena.

The Corvairs only three losses in regulation this season have been at the hands of the Falcons.

With the win, St. Catharines improves to 14-4-0-2 and moves to within one point of the Corvairs for second place. The Niagara Falls Canucks edged the Fort Erie Meteors 5-4 Friday in overtime to move into sole possession of first place.

This one had a little bit of everything — a good, old fashioned fight, fans taunting Caledonia coach Mike Bullard, and at least three controversial goals.

It also had the feeling and intensity of a playoff game, something most unusual in November.

“Every game against them has a playoff atmosphere,” Falcons goalie Owen Savory said. “There is so much history between the us. They don’t like us and we don’t like them.

“It was an unbelievable crowd, too. It was really cool.”

Savory had a big part in the victory, kicking out 36 shots, including 16 of 17 in the third period.

“Looking at the calendar, there’s obviously games you get up for,” Savory continued. “You try and get up for every game but sometimes it’s tough. Every game against them is tough but we had guys blocking shots and working hard.”

St. Catharines coach Dan Fitzgerald appeared to enjoy the experience as much as his players.

“It’s a blast,” Fitzgerald said. “These guys are having a blast. It’s fun for me to watch and the way you have fun is to play the right way. They’re starting to reap the rewards of playing hard, being solid in the defensive zone, being smart with the forecheck and knowing when to go and when not to go.

“It’s still a process but it’s all about the little things that add up to winning hockey games and guys love that.”

The Falcons knocked off the Corvairs 4-1 in late October only to lose less than 48 hours later in Pelham.

Fitzgerald is confident that won’t happen Saturday when the Falcons travel to Ancaster to take on the Avalanche, who have a solid 14-4 record.

“We have a great opportunity against a young team that is full of P and V,” Fitzgerald said. “We’re going to be ready for them. We’re not going to get too high here. We’re going to stay even-keeled and be ready to go and get back to work.”

Each team scored twice in an evenly played first period which saw both teams record 10 shots on goal.

The Falcons had a two-man advantage for two minutes at the end of the period but were unable to capitalize.

St. Catharines made it 4-2 with a pair of goals in the second by Mitch Pellarin and Tyler MacArthur. MacArthur’s goal appeared to be kicked in which set off Bullard, who was in fine form behind the bench most of the game letting the officials have it.

The Corvairs got back to within one early in the third on a power-play goal by Jamey Lauzon. Seconds later, Lauzon and Dante Copps dropped the gloves and removed their helmets for an entertaining tilt at the blueline.

Caledonia pushed hard for the equalizer but the Falcons netted an insurance goal by Tanner Ferreira with just over four minutes to play. Ferreira later added his second into an empty net.

The Falcons added forward Romaeo D’Intino to their roster. The speedy St. Catharines native picked up an assist in he season debut. He had been playing in the Western States Hockey League with the Casper Coyotes.

“He’s going to kill penalties, block shots and get pucks deep for us,” Fitzgerald said.

Falcon facts: Perth Swick and Jack Venneri did not dress for St. Catharines . . . Bailey Fletcher, Cole Mayo and Mark Bzowey were scratched for Caledonia . . .  Falcons alumni were honoured before the game as part of the club’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

Canucks 5 Meteors 4 OT

Matthew Caruso’s goal in overtime game the Canucks a win over the visiting Fort Erie Meteors at the Gale Centre.

Haydon Broomhead, Ryan Mooney, Frank Pucci and Owen Green also scored for the Canucks.

Mike Masotti, Daniel Aspro, Aiden McLeod and Kevin Weaver-Vitale replied for the Meteors.

Panthers 4 Junior Canadians 2

Noah Caperchione scored twice as the Pelham Panthers doubled the visiting Welland Junior Canadians.

Peter Izzo and Matt Ruigrok also scored for the winners.

Tanner McEachern and Matthew Giannini scored for Welland.

STATS PACK

BPSN Star of the Game: Falcons netminder Owen Savory with 36 saves.

For the St. Catharines Falcons: Tanner Ferreira 2 (9,10); Mitch Pellarin 2 (4,5); Dakota Miskolczi (6); Tyler MacArthur (2).

For the Caledonia Corvairs: Adam Craievich (17); Jamey Lauzon (4); James Farmer-Valente (1).

Game stats: Shots on goal: By St. Catharines on Brandon McCorriston/Pierce Charleson (28), by Caledonia on Savory (39); Power plays: St. Catharines 1-for-7, Caledonia 2-for-6; Penalty minutes: St. Catharines 19, Caledonia 31.

Attendance: 743

Up next: At Ancaster Saturday and at Thorold Thursday.