Junior Canadians blanked by Falcons
The St. Catharines Falcons are in fine form on special teams heading into the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League playoffs.
They went 2-for-3 on the power play while killing off six penalties in a 5-0 road victory over the Welland Junior Canadians.
Sunday night’s win was the Falcons’ eighth in a row and completed a sweep of the season series, six wins to none, 12 points to one.
Jacob Reeves kick-started the St. Catharines’ offence early breaking loose at centre ice on the penalty kill and netting a shorthanded goal 1:50 into the game. Then the Falcons capitalized on their first power play of the game, from the stick of Greg DiTomaso, to put the visitors up by two.
Patrick MacDonald made it 3-0 for St. Catharines 10 seconds later when he found the back of the net behind Welland goaltender Brandon McCorriston.
“We kept watching them skate around us in the first period, and the Falcons are too good of a team,” Junior Canadians head coach Keith Osborne said. “It’s just like playing Niagara Falls, it’s going to be a real ugly game if we keep standing around.”
The B’s will look to put their second loss of the weekend — they dropped an 8-2 decision to the Canucks Friday night in the Falls — in the rearview mirror and begin preparing for their final regular season game against the Fort Erie Meteors in what should be an intriguing matchup.
“I thought we battled hard tonight and there was plenty of effort,” Osborne said. “We need to tighten up everything if we want to go anywhere in the playoffs.”
There wasn’t one player who stood out for the home team Sunday night, but a player who has been a reliable name to call on is hometown fan favourite Matt Martin.
“It’s great playing for your hometown team,” Martin, an alternate captain on the Golden Horseshoe Conference team, said. “You got all the diehard hockey fans here and it is just fun being out on the ice.”
Martin is a rare case of a Junior Canadians veteran who competed at a high level throughout his career in the Welland Minor Hockey Association. He has developed into a go-to player for the junior team he grew up watching.
“Welland has a great program,” he said. “Growing up in the minor hockey system I had a lot of great coaches throughout the years.
“I won a couple championships, so that’s not bad either. (Minor hockey) definitely helped me get to where I am today.”
Coming into the league as a 17-year-old, Martin wasn’t too sure what to expect. He managed to stick with the Junior Canadians as a role player and the rest is history. “I played three years for the Canadians and my first year, looking back on it now, obviously it’s a bit tougher. You’re more like a role player and do what you can then build your way up.”
Martin has flourished this season on the left wing and is producing points at a steady rate. He’s second on the team in points with 55 and is tied for first place in goals, with 26.
“I’m doing what I can, it’s great to see progress,” he said. “I try to keep my game simple, do the little things right.”
It’s worth noting that Martin sits at 99 career points and only needs one more to reach 100 career points.
Osborne said he knew the veteran player would continue to improve not only a player, but also as a leader.
“He’s a 20-year-old and he has been here for three years,” the coach said. “He brings leadership and shows the young guys what it takes. He’s been a good leader for us and plays all key situations.”
Unfortunately for the Junior Canadians, only having three 20-yearold players puts them at a disadvantage heading into the playoffs. However, Martin isn’t worried.
“Honestly, I think we need to come together as a team,” he said. “We have to battle and be here for each other. I’m not worried at all.”
I thought we battled hard tonight and there was plenty of effort. We need to tighten up everything if we want to go anywhere in the playoffs.” Junior Canadians head coach Keith Osborne