KIRKLAND LAKE, Ont. – A Josh Allan power play goal with 4:18 remaining proved to be the game-winner as the Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) went on to defeat the Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL) 4-2 Tuesday afternoon in Game 1 of the 2016 Dudley-Hewitt Cup Central Canada Jr. A Championship at the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex in Kirkland Lake, Ont.
Featuring a pair of top five Canadian Junior Hockey League clubs, it was Trenton (No. 4 CJHL) that opened the scoring six seconds after an early man advantage had expired as Lucas Brown’s attempt from the left side slid underneath Soo starter Connor Ryckman.
The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League champions from Sault Ste. Marie (No. 3 CJHL) drew level, via the power play, in the latter stages of the first period as Mark Tassone shovelled a bouncing puck into the open side beating Daniel Urbani in the Trenton net at 15:20.
A tight-checking middle stanza saw both goaltenders keep opposing shooters at bay as Ryckman for the Thunderbirds and Urbani of the Golden Hawks stood tall in a scoreless frame.
Special teams allowed the T-Birds to take the lead 2:05 into the third as NOJHL playoff MVP Michael Caruso wristed the go ahead marker from his point position.
Trenton came right back however just over a minute later as they got the equalizer from defenceman Adam Clements who wired one from inside the blueline that beat Ryckman.
Then up a man later in the session, Allan provided the difference maker as he drove hard around the Soo net before jamming in his wrap-around effort that squeaked past the T-Birds netminder and in.
Up a man late, the Soo pulled their goalkeeper in favour of an extra attacker, but the Golden Hawks’ Hunter Fargey iced it with a shorthanded empty netter with 47 seconds remaining to round out the scoring.
Kevin Lavoie dished out a pair of assists to aid the winners cause.
Shots in the contest favoured Trenton by a 43-36 count with Urbani picking up the win and Ryckman the loss.
Game 2 of the day features the Superior International Junior Hockey League champion Fort Frances Lakers (SIJHL) taking on the host Kirkland Lake Gold Miners (NOJHL) at 7:30 p.m.
For more information on the Dudley-Hewitt Cup visit the official CJHL – DHC website at centralcanadianchampionship.com.
