Winterhawk forward Mike Rocca (right) and Captain Trevor Smith (left) try and stop Petrolia Squire player Ryan Fraser from a chance at the net during the afternoon game, November 25.
Trevor Smith scored twice as the Saugeen Shores Winterhawks took a narrow 2-1 win over the visiting Petrolia Squires on Sunday afternoon at The Plex.
Petrolia showed up short on players, as they dressed only 11 skaters for the game, but came out early, testing Winterhawks netminder Jeff Flagler, who shut the door on the visitors.
The Winterhawks took the pace to their understaffed counterparts as the period wore on, but Brandon Campbell was up to the task in the Petrolia net.
The Winterhawks opened the scoring at 11:58 of the 1st on the power play, when the Hawks managed to get Campbell down and out, working the puck back to Captain Trevor Smith, who blasted the point shot into the open net.
There was no scoring in the 2nd, but plenty of opportunities as seven minor penalties were whistled in the middle frame, but both Flagler and Campbell came up huge for their respective sides.
The 3rd period began with much the same as the 2nd, as the Winterhawks killed off a pair of penalties, followed by Petrolia killing off a pair of their own.
The Squires would manage to ruin the shutout bid for Flagler at 16:46 of the 3rd, as Adam Arsenault shovelled a rebound past Flagler to make it a 1-1 game.
The Winterhawks were quick to recapture the momentum, as Miles MacLean and Blake Underwood hooked up on a two-on-two rush.
Campbell managed to make a save on an Underwood shot, but a streaking Smith followed up and buried the rebound to bring The Plex crowd to their feet, making it a 2-1 Winterhawks lead.
Smith was whistled for slashing 30-seconds later putting Petrolia on a six-on-four advantage as they pulled Campbell for the extra attacker.
Flagler came up with one more big save as he thwarted the Squires, securing the 2-1 win.
Smith was named The Wismer House Player of the Game for his two-goal performance.
The win is the third in a row for the Winterhawks, who are now in a tie for 5th overall in the WOAA Sr. Hockey League, with a 6-4-1 record.
The Winterhawks will be back on the ice on Saturday December 1st, when they travel to Grand Valley to face the Shelburne Muskies at 8:30 p.m.
The next home game is Sunday December 9th, when the Minto 81’s visit at 2:00 p.m.
Winterhawk Josh Deyell steals the puck from a few Squires against the boards. Hub photo
With Petrolia Squire Forward Ryan Fraser on his knees the hawks eye up the puck. Hub photo
Captain Trevor Smith controls the puck in the Winterhawk end. Hub photo
Winterhawk forward Connor Patton looks for the best scenario. Hub photo
Winterhawk forward Mike Rocca looks for an open man in the Squires end. Hub photo
