Jan 21, 2024 | Winterhawks News | 786 views
Peicheff Shuts Out Applekings
It was a perfect weekend for Saugeen Shores Winterhawks goaltenders.
Eric Peicheff made 35 saves to backstop the Winterhawks to their second shutout of the weekend, a 3-0 blanking of the Georgian Bay Applekings on Saturday evening in Thornbury.
The Winterhawks opened the scoring less than five minutes into the game after Logan Freiburger forced a turnover in the neutral zone, springing an odd-man rush the other way.
Curtis Johnston fed a pass into the slot to Andy Fracz, who converted for the goal to give the Winterhawks a 1-0 lead.
The Winterhawks controlled the play for much of the first period, but Peicheff was called upon to make several big saves to keep the Applekings off the board.
Miles MacLean made it a 2-0 game at 13:13 of the first after sustained pressure in the Georgian Bay zone.
James McHaig fed a shot from the point that was stopped by Applekings goalie Allan Menary, but MacLean was right there to knock in the rebound. Keegan Angel also assisted on the goal.
The physical play ratcheted up in the second period, with Josh Deyell throwing several thundering body checks.
The lead was extended to 3-0 just past the midway point of the period when Alec Tiley sprung Dan Zweep and Mike Fiegehen on a 2-on-1 rush.
Zweep fed a pass over as Fiegehen drove the net, and Menary made the initial save, but the rebound lay on the goal line for Fiegehen to shovel into the net.
Georgian Bay picked up a late power play in the second, but Peicheff again held the Applekings off the board and the Winterhawks carried the 3-0 lead into the third period.
The Applekings pushed hard in the third, needing a rally to get back in the game.
The Winterhawks did not make life easy for themselves, finding penalty trouble in the final minutes of the game.
Georgian Bay had an extended five-on-three advantage, but the penalty killers were up to the task, and Peicheff made several big saves to preserve the shutout and the 3-0 victory.
The Winterhawks will return to their second home to conclude the 2023-24 regular season, hosting the first-place Ripley Wolves this Friday night, January 26th, at the Southampton Coliseum.
Game time is 8:30 p.m.