Saturday Highlights: Watson’s hot start continues

 

MISSISSAUGA 3 NIAGARA 2 OT
Los Angeles Kings prospect Spencer Watson (4, 5, 6) recorded his second straight hat-trick, doing so naturally in a 3-2 Mississauga Steelheads overtime win in Niagara. Watson took a feed from Vili Saarijarvi to go in and beat Stephen Dhillon 31 seconds into overtime to give the Steelheads their fourth straight win, a reversal of fortunes following a lengthy losing skid. Johnny Corneil (9) and Akil Thomas (11) scored for Niagara as the IceDogs were outshot 59-33. Stephen Dhillon made 56 saves in the loss, adding to his league-high 951 saves this season. Mississauga is now 10-14-3-3, just six points out of first place in the Central Division.
GAME CENTRE

 

SAGINAW 4 HAMILTON 3 SO
Detroit Red Wings prospect Filip Hronek scored the shootout winner as the Saginaw Spirit took a 4-3 road win in Hamilton. Bulldogs forward Will Bitten (7, 8) scored twice, tying the game 3-3 with 41 seconds left in the third period, but the Spirit would prevail as Evan Cormier stopped all three shooters he faced in the shootout to secure the win. Jesse Barwell (5), DJ Busdeker (1) and Hayden Hodgson (13) scored for the Spirit while Connor Walters (2) got the fur flying on Teddy Bear Toss Night 7:16 into the first period for Hamilton. The Spirit now have points in six straight contests as they improve to 11-13-3-2.
GAME CENTRE

 

ERIE 3 SAULT STE. MARIE 2
Kyle Maksimovich (9, 10) scored twice to lead the Erie Otters to a 3-2 home ice win over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. The Otters outshot the Hounds 32-21, going 2-for-5 on the power play as Alex DeBrincat became the OHL’s first 30-goal scorer in the victory. Erie’s fourth straight win included a pair of assists from Darren Raddysh while Troy Timpano made 19 saves to improve to 21-2-0-0. Anaheim Ducks prospect Jack Kopacka provided both goals for the Greyhounds who see their 10-game winning streak come to an end. It’s Sault Ste. Marie’s first road loss since November 4th in Sarnia.
GAME CENTRE

 

OWEN SOUND 2 KINGSTON 1
Owen Sound Attack newcomer Chase Campbell (9) scored the game winner 7:06 into the third period as the bears wore down the visiting Kingston Frontenacs in a 2-1 victory. Owen Sound outshot Kingston 40-18 as Carolina Hurricanes prospect Jeremy Helvig made 38 saves on the night to earn second star honours. Attack forward Petrus Palmu (22) had a goal and an assist in the win while goaltender Emanuel Vella made 17 saves for his first victory with Owen Sound. Frontenacs rookie Linus Nyman (15) scored the lone goal for Kingston as the Fronts saw their franchise record of six consecutive overtime games snapped, falling to 13-13-2-1 on the season.
GAME CENTRE

 

LONDON 4 SARNIA 2
Sophomore blueliner Evan Bouchard (1) scored the game winner with 4:03 left in the third period as the London Knights took a 4-2 victory in Sarnia. Buffalo Sabres prospect Cliff Pu (20, 21) scored twice while Owen MacDonald (6) also tallied. Tyler Parsons made 28 saves in goal, guiding the Knights to their 20th win of the season. Justin Fazio made 34 saves at the other end as Sting goals came from Anthony Salinitri (13) and Troy Lajeunesse (9). London trails first place Erie by three points in the Midwest Division with two games in hand.
GAME CENTRE

 

BARRIE 3 FLINT 1
The Barrie Colts snapped a five game skid as goaltender David Ovsjannikov was the first star in a 3-1 win over visiting Flint. Ovsjannikov turned aside 37 shots while Zachary Magwood (6, 7) scored twice and Jason Willms (8) added a goal. Barrie improves to 9-17-3-1 despite being outshot 38-22. Flint’s lone goal came off the stick of Nicholas Caamano as the Firebirds drop to 15-14-0-2, three points behind third place Sarnia in the West Division.
GAME CENTRE

 

OTTAWA 4 OSHAWA 1
Colorado Avalanche prospect Travis Barron (3, 4) scored twice as the Ottawa 67’s defeated the visiting Oshawa Generals 4-1 on Teddy Bear Toss day. Patrick White (12) sent the bears airborne 3:27 into the first period while Jared Steege (8) added a goal in the third period to round out the scoring. Olivier Lafreniere was steady in goal, making 31 saves to guide Ottawa to victory despite being outshot 32-27. Joe Manchurek (5) scored the lone goal for Oshawa. The 67’s are 13-14-4-0, just two points behind second place Peterborough in the East Division. Sixteen year-old rookie Sam Bitten made his OHL debut for Ottawa.
GAME CENTRE

 

WINDSOR 6 SUDBURY 0
The Teddy Bear Toss stoppers struck again in Sudbury, blanking the Wolves 6-0 as Michael DiPietro made 22 saves to turn in his second consecutive shutout. Youngsters Luke Boka (4, 5) and Cole Purboo (7, 8) headlined the Windsor offence with a pair of goals each while Cristiano DiGiacinto (6) and Aaron Luchuk (12) finished the night with a goal and three assists each. Windsor went 2-for-4 on the power play, outshooting Sudbury 31-22 to earn their fourth straight win and 20th of the season.
GAME CENTRE