Canucks fall in double OT to Thorold
The Niagara Falls Canucks lost a double overtime thriller to the visiting Thorold Blackhawks Friday night resulting in a split of a home-and-home series between the two Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League teams.
Thorold jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals from Mason Howard and Brendan Charlton, who scored on the power play.
“We didn’t get off to a good start, I don’t think we were prepared for the game,” Canucks owner-head coach Frank Pietrangelo said after his team fell to 23-8-0-4 in league play.
“We’ve got to be better, our preparation has got to be better.”
Niagara Falls battled back in the second period, with goals from Frank Pucci and Noah Boman to send the game into the third tied 2-2.
The Canucks showed their resiliency as they managed to overcome a one-goal deficit on multiple occasions.
After Spencer Blackwell staked the visitors to a 3-3 lead, Boman scored his second of the night to tie the score.
Trent Sheldon put Thorold ahead, but Jake Stos replied for Niagara Falls to knot the score at four-all.
Daniel Lowe found the back of the net for the Blackhawks with two minutes remaining in regulation, but the Canucks weren’t through with comebacks. With the Niagara Falls net empty for an extra attacker, Matt Caruso forced overtime with 37 seconds left on the block.
James Guest netted the game winner for Thorold in the second overtime, when the teams were playing 3-on-3.
Pietrangelo didn’t like the way his team started the rematch after doubling the Blackhawks 4-2 Thursday night in Thorold.
“We came out a little flat I thought,” he said. “But we regrouped it there in the first intermission, and came out fast.
“We got to stay focused in the room before the game and not joke around too much.”
Niagara Falls outshot Thorold 42-30 and finished the game 3-for7 on the power play.
The Blackhawks were 2-for-2 with the man advantage as they improved their record to 13-153-3.
The Canucks still lead the season series three wins to two, seven points to four.
Niagara Falls hosts the Fort Erie Meteors for a 7 p.m. puck drop Friday. Thorold is home to the Ancaster Avalanche Thursday.