Falcons, Avalanche play to rare tie

With recent changes to the GO JHL’s overtime format, it’s not often games end in a tie.

After three regulation frames and two overtime periods, the St. Catharines Falcons and Ancaster Avalanche played to a draw, finishing the game 1-1 at the Jack Gatecliff Arena.

St. Catharines goaltender Owen Savory made his first start for the Falcons since officially committing to the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Engineers of the NCAA for the 2018-19 season. Savory currently leads the GOJHL in both wins and save percentage. He earned first star honours in a match where the Falcons were outshot 42-29.

Ancaster forward Lucas Croucher opened the scoring in the first period, scoring a 5-on-3 power play goal. The Avalanche scored on one of seven opportunities with the extra man. St. Catharines failed to convert on six chances.

Nathan Smilsky added the only goal of the second period to tie the game, beating Ancaster goalie Ryan Dugas cleanly on an oddman rush opportunity. Smilsky plays on a line with brother Lucas, who leads the GOJHL Golden Horseshoe Conference in points.

“It was a great pass by (defenseman) Dante Copps,” said Smilsky. “They all swarmed my brother, which usually happens so it allowed me to shoot.”

Despite tying the match and giving up more shots in the game, Falcons head coach Dan Fitzgerald was happy with his team’s performance.

“We had some guys we really rode hard and there were a couple of opportunities we should’ve bared down on, but all in all its tough to be upset,” said Fitzgerald. “There were lots of good, but still coachable moments.”

The Falcons and Avalanche are back in action Saturday night, heading to Ancaster to play the back-half of their home-andhome.