Panthers fall to Falls on road

A five-goal explosion that broke a one-all tie was too much for the Pelham Panthers to overcome when they visited the Niagara Falls Canucks in junior B hockey.

By the time Pelham found the back of the net again in Friday night’s battle of 1-3 teams it was too late for a sustained comeback. Matt Ruigrok’s goal with 1:50 remaining in the third period did little more than round out the scoring in the 6-2 loss.

Niagara Falls outshot the Panthers 38-24, while the Panthers enjoyed a slight edge on special teams play. They finished the game 1-for5 on the power play, while the Canucks were shut out on all six of their opportunities to score with a man advantage.

Phillip Chadder opened the scoring for Niagara Falls 19:30 into a contest played before an announced crowd of 500 at Gale Centre.

Alex Jerome’s power-play goal evened the goal 40 seconds into the second period, but momentum shifted to the Canucks’ side of the ice 32 seconds later and there is stayed until Ruigrok finally replied for Pelham.

David Wilson, Harrison Cottam, Garrett Downie, Maxwell and Patrick McCabe each peppered Panthers netminder Avery Hartwick with shots he was unable to handle.

Adam Dentico earned the win in net for Niagara Falls.

Pelham’s second loss in a row, and of the week, dropped the team’s record to 1-4. In their last outing the Panthers were blanked 3-0 by the Welland Junior Canadians.

Niagara Falls, 2-3; returned to the win column following an 8-3 loss to the Caledonia Corvairs.

Both teams are off until next Friday, when Niagara Falls hosts the Ancaster Avalanche and Pelham is home to the Thorold Blackhawks.

The Junior Canadians, 4-2; hosted the 1-3-1-0 Blackhawks Sunday home at the main arena.

Welland doubled Thorold 4-2 on the road in the opening game of the home-and-home series last Thursday.

Next weekend will be a busy one for the B’s. They visit the St. Catharines Falcons for a 7 p.m. puck drop Friday at Jack Gatecliff Arena, play the Fort Erie Meteors the following night, also on the road, and host the Falcons next Sunday beginning at 7:05 p.m.

Welland has yet to play either the Falcons or Meteors this season.