R’Hawks come back for victory

Zachary Pettit and Bailey Pritchard each scored two goals and the Niagara RiverHawks overcame a 3-0 deficit to win their third home opener in as many years.

Doyle Groulx, Carter LeRoux and Jacob Saddler also found the back of the net for Niagara in the 7-6 victory over the Hamilton Jr. Huskies Blues Wednesday night at Gale Centre in Niagara Falls.

Niagara outshot the newly renamed Dundas Blues 46-40 in the season opener for the two Provincial Junior Hockey

League teams.

“We didn’t have the start we wanted, but I thought we got stronger as the game went on,” Tim Barath said after his winning debut as RiverHawks head coach.

“It’s always nice to get that first win, particularly in your home opener.”

Niagara was anything but special on special teams converting only one of eight opportunities to score on the power play. Hamilton went 2-for-4 with a man advantage.

“We some work to do — particularly, on the power play — but considering we only had one team practice before tonight’s game, I’m confident it will come.”

Two unanswered goals gave the hosts the win after the Blues took a 6-5 lead into the third period.

Pettit scored his second of the game on the breakaway 3:21 into the final frame and Saddler beat a screened Hamilton goaltender with a shot from the right face-off circle at the 16:18 mark.

Matt Boere made 36 saves for

the win in his first game between the pipes for the RiverHawks.

Next action for Niagara is 7:30 p.m. Thursday in a home game against the Hagersville Hawks,

In other PCHL action Wednesday night, Brennan Smith’s unassisted goal 4:55 into overtime gave the visiting Grimsby Peach Kings a 3-2 victory over the Glanbrook Rangers.

Maxim Pleau and Dorion Maye opened the scoring for Grimsby which trailed 2-0 after two periods.

Grimsby hosts Hagersville 7:30 p.m. Friday, with the Dunnville Mudcats at home to the Hespeler Shamrocks, also at 7:30 p.m.