Dec 08, 2019 | Winterhawks News | 2026 views
Offence Erupts in Seaforth
Adam Kading and Mike Rocca each had a goal and two assists as the Saugeen Shores Winterhawks took an 8-5 over the Seaforth Centenaires on Saturday night.
After a slow start to the game the night before put them behind the eight-ball early, the Winterhawks again found themselves trailing early.
Seaforth's Reuben Smith opening the scoring exactly one minute into the game, beating Winterhawks netminder Jeff Flagler to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
It took until the midway point of the period for the Winterhawks to get to Seaforth goalie Jesse Raymond.
Rocca tied things up at 10:05, with assists to Kading and Trevor Smith.
Michael Johnstone scored just over three minutes later to give the Winterhawks a 2-1 lead, with assists to Kading and Rocca.
A milestone goal for Blake Underwood finished off the scoring in the opening frame, as the veteran forward notched his 100th goal as a Winterhawk at the 17-minute mark to make it 3-1, with assists to Rocca and Curtis Johnston.
Another milestone followed in the 2nd period, as Kading scored his first goal as a Winterhawk at 3:24, with assists to Johnstone and Nick Quaid to give the Winterhawks a 4-1 lead.
Seaforth roared back with a goal by Rob Vanwynsberghe at 8:58, followed by a goal by Josh Gaynor at 16:32 to cut the Winterhawks lead to 4-3 after two periods.
The Winterhawks came out flying in the 3rd period to end any thoughts of a Seaforth comeback.
Lauchlin Elder scored 54-seconds into the 3rd to extend the lead to 5-3, with assists to Smith and Connor Patton.
Andy Fracz made it 6-3 at 5:59, with assists to Josh Deyell and Miles MacLean.
It was then MacLean who made it 7-3 on the power play at 8:44, with assists to Patton and Smith, his 3rd assist of the night.
Seaforth did not go quietly into the night, as Brendon Merritt and Cal Penney scored just over a minute apart to cut the lead to 7-5.
Underwood provided the dagger for the Winterhawks at 13:36, scoring his second of the night to make it 8-5, with Josh Hopkin picking up an assist.
Flagler made 30 saves for the win as the Winterhawks outshot Seaforth 40-35 on the night.
The win moves the Winterhawks [11-2-0] back into sole possession of 1st place in the WOAA Sr. Hockey League standings, two points ahead of the Ripley Wolves [10-1-0], Shelburne Muskies [10-2-0] and Clinton Radars [10-4-0], who all sit tied for 2nd place.
The Winterhawks will be off next weekend, before returning home on Friday December 20th for a pivotal showdown with the Wolves.
Game time at The Plex is 8:30 p.m.