Mar 04, 2022 | dhickey | 363 views
Niagara slips past 'Canes in OT
On Sunday, the Hurricanes hosted Niagara at Sherwood Arena in game 2 of their 6 game playoff push to the OMHA tournament being held in Oakville @ the end of March. The 'Canes were coming off a 9-4 win against Brampton in game 1 while Niagara came into the game with a 2-0 record after wins of 6-0 and 3-0 also against Brampton.
After a scoreless first period, the Hurricanes grabbed a 2-1 lead through 2 on goals by Tyler Hickey & Nolan Lillicrap.
The 'Canes extended the lead to 3-1 on a goal by Hayden Cochren early in the 3rd before Niagara scored 2 powerplay goals to tie the game at 3's at the halfway point.
Preston Sedlezky converted a Cal Reilly pass with 2:30 to go, giving the Hurricanes a 4-3 lead but Niagara was able to capitalize with the goalie pulled in the final minute to tie the game.
A Niagara hooking penalty as time expired had the Hurricanes start the OT period on the powerplay, but the team was unable to take advantage.
Then, with 1:39 to go a point shot from Niagara bounced off 2 sticks and into the net, ending the game in favour of the North Stars 5-4.
With the OT loss, the Hurricanes are now 1-1 in the playoffs. Niagara moved to 3-0 and leads the division.
Hitting the scoresheet for the Hurricanes:
Nolan Lillicrap 1G
Tyler Hickey 1G
Hayden Cochren 1G
Preston Sedlezky 1G
Rory Parker 1A
James Del Duca 1A
Cal Reilly 1A
In other group action, Burlington beat Brampton 5-1
Up next in Group B:
Friday: Burlington @ Niagara
Saturday: Halton @ Brampton
Sunday: Burlington @ Halton
In Group A:
Southern Tier handed Oakville their first loss of the year, with a 4-1 win and lead their group with a 3-0-1 record.
Oakville sits in 2nd with a 2-1-1 record.
Guelph is in 3rd at 1-1.
Hamilton is in 4th at 0-4 (can not advance)
Up next in Group A:
Saturday: Southern Tier @ Guelph
Monday: Hamilton @ Oakville