THUNDER BAY – It’s a wrap on Day 2 of the All-Ontario U15 AAA championship at the Fort William Gardens that featured the Vaughan Kings already earning top spot in round robin play, while the host Thunder Bay Kings collected their first victory with some late-game heroics.
Here’s a recap of Friday’s on-ice action:
York-Simcoe Express 4, Elgin-Middlesex Canucks 2: The Express jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on tallies from JakeTorresan and Maso Podstatzky before Thomas Meyer put the Canucks on the board prior to the first intermission.
After Tyson Orr tied it on the power play early in the middle stanza for Elgin-Middlesex, York-Simcoe’s Reed Budgell notched the eventual game-winner midway through the season.
The Ontario Minor Hockey Association title holders then secured the victory on a man advantage midway through the final frame on a Lucas Sprogis effort.
Pearson Carbonell dished out three assists to aid the offensive cause for the Express in the triumph, for a second win in as many outings.
Vaughan Kings 5, Ottawa Jr. 67’s 1: Remaining unbeaten, the Kings crowned the Jr. 67’s to improve to 3-0.
The clubs exchanged goals in the opening frame with Grady Riley connecting for Vaughan, while Finn Pixley countered for Ottawa.
Taking over from there, the Kings tacked on four more markers to secure the result.
Thomas Luksic and Philip Madonna found the back of the net in the second stanza and then saw Samuel Frappier and Ethan Goodman finish it off in the third.
Thunder Bay Kings 3, Soo Jr. Greyhounds 2: Picking their initial victory of the provincials, the Kings improved to 1-1-1with late game-winner off the stick of Cullen McCormack.
Capitalizing on the power play midway through the first period, Gregory Beckerson did give Sault Ste. Marie the lead.
Thunder Bay came back to tie it early in the second stanza thanks to a goal by defenceman Aidan Lane.
The Kings then took a 2-1 edge into the intermission on a Ryder Milani effort, only to see Jr. Greyhounds pull even five minutes into the third, compliments of Jeremy Jarratt.
Then with time winding down, McCormack notched the decider with under a minute to play as he banked one in off a defender with a backhand while driving in behind the net.
Alex Simeoni chipped in with two assists for Thunder Bay and Declan Scott picked up the win in goal.
Vaughan Kings 4, York-Simcoe Express 2: Remaining unbeaten and securing themselves a semifinal berth in theprocess by wrapping up top spot in the six-team standings, Vaughan skated to a hard-fought result over York-Simcoe.
Frappier gave the Kings an early lead, that held up until halfway through the second period, when Ryo Han drew the Express level.
A flurry of activity midway through the final frame saw three goals scored in just over a minute.
Ethan Goodman put Vaughan ahead, only to see York-Simcoe’s Antonio Lucente strike 12 seconds later.
However, Bennett Hatch answered that on the next shift with the eventual difference maker with 6:20 to go.
Jasper Wang then sealed the result in the late going for the Kings.
Elgin-Middlesex Canucks 3, Ottawa Jr. 67’s 2: The finale of Day 2 saw a third period surge by Elgin-Middlesex and rallyfor a come from behind victory.
Ottawa did stake themselves to an early cushion when Kaiden Green scored 3:46 into the contest.
Going to work on the man advantage, Caleb Heagle gave his side to a multi-marker lead later in the first frame.
After a scoreless second stanza, Tyson Orr put one past 67’s netminder Justin Saulnier five minutes into the third to put the Canucks on the board.
Orr then set-up the equalizer as Brayden Pique picked up his first of the event.
Completing the comeback, Carter Piskoroski then supplied the game-winner with 4:37 to go and see them improve to 1-2-1. In defeat Ottawa fell to 0-3-0.
UPCOMING GAMES
Saturday, April 11
York-Simcoe vs. Soo 10 a.m.
Thunder Bay vs. Ottawa 12 p.m.
Elgin-Middlesex vs. Vaughan 2 p.m.
Ottawa vs. Soo 5 p.m.
York-Simcoe vs. Thunder Bay 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 12
Semifinal No. 1: 4th round robin vs. Vaughan Kings 9 a.m.
Semifinal No. 2: 3rd round robin vs. 2nd round robin 11 a.m.
Bronze medal game: 4 p.m.
Gold/Silver medal game: 6:30 p.m.
