The St. Catharines Novice A Falcons travelled down the QEW on Sunday to take on Fort Erie in the Niagara District Hockey League's Group B playoff opener. In perhaps the most comprehensive performance of the season, the Falcons offense exploded with SEVEN goals, coming from six different scorers, in a emphatic 7-4 victory over the Meteors!
The Falcons opened the scoring just over a minute into the contest, with Evan Bosela ripping a shot over the Fort Erie keeper's blocker for the goal and the early 1-0 lead! Jack Dolch and Chris Crowe picked up assists on the Bosela goal.
Fort Erie would tie the game up about a minute later but the Falcons would strike back again with just over six minutes left in the period, with Ben Grohnwald scoring off assists from Rhys McAdam and Dante DiFranco.
However, late in the period, with the Falcons killing off a penalty, the Meteors would strike once again and that powerplay goal was enough to knot things at two apiece heading into the second period.
Fort Erie would score only 19 seconds into the second to take their first lead of the contest but a minute and a half later, the Falcons would fight back to tie things up once again. Evan Bosela was able to keep the puck in at the blue line and fed a wide open Dante DiFranco in front and he'd make no mistake shoveling the puck past the Fort Erie keeper. Michael Magnotta also got an assist on the DiFranco goal.
The Falcons would move back into the lead with just under two minutes left in the second, as Preston Burkley went end-to-end and sent a wicked wrister into the top corner of the goal to make it 4-3. Dante DiFranco and Chase Dayaram notched assists on the goal.
The teams headed into the third period and Fort Erie would end up taking a four minute double minor, giving St Catharines an extended powerplay. The Falcons would take advantage, with Chris Crowe taking a pass from Sam Evangelista behind the goal before stickhandling back out front and tucking the puck into the net behind the surprised Meteors goaltender for the 5-3 advantage!
Then, mere seconds later, Preston Burkley stormed in on a breakaway and was tripped just before getting his shot off.
THAT'S A PENALTY SHOT!!!
After a brief chat at the bench, Preston made his way to centre ice, took the puck in on goal and showed his sweet hands with an incredible deke to his forehand before tucking the puck into the net. A beauty goal and a 6-3 lead!
Fort Erie would get one back a few minutes later but the Falcons would finish the game off in style, with Evan Bosela sending in Rhys McAdam on another breakaway and Rhys made no mistake, roofing a bullet over the keeper's glove hand to salt away a resounding 7-4 victory!
Quinton Burkley made a couple of his customary big glove saves and finished with 8 saves on the night behind a wonderful performance from the Falcons defense.
Every single child on the team played with passion, determination and effort in a truly memorable game.
The Falcons play game two of the district playoffs on Friday night in a home game against Dunnville. Game time at Seymour-Hannah is 6:15pm.
GO FALCONS!!!
SCORING SUMMARY -
GOALS: Preston Burkley (2), Evan Bosela, Ben Grohnwald, Dante DiFranco, Chris Crowe, Rhys McAdam
ASSISTS: Dante DiFranco (2), Evan Bosela (2), Jack Dolch, Chris Crowe, Rhys McAdam, Michael Magnotta, Chase Dayaram, Sam Evangelista