Our St. Catharines Novice A Falcons welcomed the league's
highest scoring team to the Seymour-Hannah Arena on Friday night, as the
Welland Tigers entered play with a whopping 128 goals in their 13 games thus
far. Missing two key players in
Chase
Dayaram and
Dante DiFranco, the task seemed daunting at best, as the Tigers won
the previous matchup against our Falcons by 19 goals and were just a week
removed from scoring 23 against another league opponent.
However, it's quite apparent that last week's tournament in Guelph, the Falcons first away event of the year, provided key moments of on and off-ice bonding between the players and that translated into the most captivating performance of the year, as our beloved Falcons would take a lead into the third period before eventually falling short by a single goal in a 5-4 loss, thrilling everyone in attendance on that magical evening.
Welland got on the board in the first minute on a wrap-around goal but our Falcons would get stronger as the period wore on. With just over two minutes remaining, Justin Flora was sprung on a breakaway and he would deke the Tigers keeper and backhand the puck home to tie the game at one! Ben Grohnwald and Chris Crowe picked up assists on Justin's goal.
The second period saw our Falcons dominate play for long stretches and that persistence was rewarded about three minutes into the period, as a Michael Magnotta shot from the point was re-directed into the net by Ben Grohnwald, giving the Falcons the SHOCKING LEAD! Sammy Evangelista picked up the second assist on the goal.
But the Falcons weren't done!
Two and a half minutes later, we'd get a two-on-one down the right wing and Ben Grohnwald would send in Justin Flora for another breakaway. Justin once again went to the backhand and SCORED to make it a 3-1 game!! Evan Bosela started the play in his own end and got the second assist on the goal.
Welland would get one back with about three minutes remaining to make the score 3-2 but the Falcons would strike AGAIN shortly thereafter, with Justin Flora completing his hat trick on a great play where he fought off a check and shoveled one home, bringing the Falcons bench and all of their supporters to their feet once again! Rhys McAdam and Jack Dolch earned assists on the Falcons fourth goal.
The Tigers wouldn't go quietly and scored on a second wrap-around with 12 seconds left in the period to get to within a single goal as the teams headed into the third period with the score 4-3 in favour of our Falcons.
A different Welland team came out in the third and they'd score immediately off the opening faceoff, only 13 seconds into the period to tie things at 4-4. Five minutes later, they'd recapture the lead but the Falcons kept fighting to the end, getting a late-game powerplay and eventually pulling the goaltender for an extra attacker but despite a couple of great chances, the Tigers barely held off our inspired children to win by a single goal.
I'm sure I speak for everyone on the coaching staff and every single parent when I say this was the most thrilling and satisfying contest of the season, even in defeat. Goaltender Quinton Burkley once again flashed that amazing glove hand on countless occasions and made 16 saves overall. Preston Burkley, Michael Magnotta, Evan Bosela and Trenton MacArthur were aggressive and resolute and the vaunted Welland offense was denied all night by these four defenders. And every single forward, Charlie Barnowski, Zach Engelen, Jack Dolch, Rhys McAdam, Sam Evangelista, Ben Grohnwald, Chris Crowe and Justin Flora showed skill and perseverance on the forecheck and tenacity on the backcheck as the whole team worked together in a comprehensive performance.
WAY TO GO FALCONS!!!