Sunday Highlights: DiPietro Perfecto
WINDSOR 3 NORTH BAY 0
Draft eligible Windsor Spitfires goaltender Michael DiPietro made 21 saves to record his third consecutive shutout and stretch his current shutout streak to 204:16. The Spits wrapped up a three-game road trip with their fifth straight win as Mikhail Sergachev (1), Luke Boka (6) and Jeremiah Addison (11) had goals. The Spitfires spoiled their third straight Teddy Bear Toss on the road, improving to 21-5-4-0 and leapfrogging Sault Ste. Marie for first place in the West Division. The Spits are 7-1-2-0 on their current 13-game run away from the WFCU Centre. They don’t return home until December 29th. DiPietro’s shutout streak is approaching recent marks set by Owen Sound’s Jordan Binnington (211:32, 2012-13), Niagara’s Mark Visentin (237:53, 2011-12) and Mississauga’s JP Anderson (249:11, 2011 playoffs).
GAME CENTRE
SAGINAW 6 OSHAWA 3
Overage winger Hayden Hodgson (14, 15, 16, 17) stayed hot, recording a career-high four goals along with an assist in a 6-3 road win over the Oshawa Generals. Hodgson continued his red hot December and has now recorded 15 points (9-6–15) in six games this month. Saginaw’s third straight win also featured a goal and an assist from both Filip Hronek (5) and Kris Bennett (7) while Evan Cormier made 28 saves. Mitchell Vande Sompel (13), Serron Noel (4) and Medric Mercier (8) had goals in the loss for Oshawa as the Generals were outshot 35-31.
GAME CENTRE
SAULT STE. MARIE 7 HAMILTON 2
Anaheim Ducks prospect Jack Kopacka (7, 8, 9, 10) had a four goal day, burying a first period hat-trick to lead the Soo Greyhounds to a commanding 7-2 road win in Hamilton. The Hounds scored seven times on 24 shots, defeating the Bulldogs despite being outshot 36-24. 2017 NHL Draft prospect Morgan Frost recorded four assists while Bobby MacIntyre (16), Colton White (1) and Tim Gettinger (12) also had goals. Rookie goaltender Matthew Villalta made 34 saves as the Hounds improved to 22-8-1-0. Both Hamilton goals came from captain Justin Lemcke (6, 7) as the Bulldogs dropped their fifth straight at home.
GAME CENTRE
GUELPH 4 KINGSTON 3 OT
Rookie blueliner Ryan Merkley scored 15 seconds into overtime as the Guelph Storm snuck past the visiting Kingston Frontenacs 4-3. Merkley (6, 7) scored twice on the afternoon and added an assist as the Storm improved to 11-17-2-1. Luke Burghardt (7) and Garrett McFadden (5) also found the back of the net while Liam Herbst made 34 saves. Kingston managed to reach overtime yet again, doing so for the seventh time in eight games as Stephen Desrocher (5) helped his club earn a point, scoring with 2:22 remaining in the third period. Warren Foegele (8) and Jason Robertson (13) also scored for the Frontenacs.
GAME CENTRE
PETERBOROUGH 6 OTTAWA 2
The Peterborough Petes gained some ground in the East Division as sophomore centreman Zach Gallant (8, 9) had two goals and an assist in a 6-2 road win in Ottawa. Tyler Rollo (5), Steven Lorentz (9), Matt Timms (3) and Josh Coyle (4) also had goals for the maroon and white as the Petes won their fifth straight, pulling to within six points of first place Oshawa in the East Division with a record of 15-11-1-3. Scott Smith made 29 saves in goal to earn the win, being beaten twice on the afternoon on shots from Ottawa’s Tye Felhaber (12) and Sam Bitten (1).
GAME CENTRE
LONDON 6 KITCHENER 2
Rookie forward Josh Nelson (2, 3) enjoyed his first OHL multi-goal game, scoring twice in a 6-2 London Knights win over the visiting Kitchener Rangers. Brandon Crawley (3) and JJ Piccinich (12) each had a goal and two assists while Olli Juolevi (6) and Alex Formenton (7) also scored. The Knights went 3-for-8 on the power play, but had 27 saves from Tyler Parsons in the win, improving to 21-4-2-3. Kitchener goals came from Nick McHugh (7) on a second period penalty shot as well as Adam Mascherin (22) late in the third. Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Jeremy Bracco saw his 26-game point streak come to an end, a figure that stands as the second longest in Rangers franchise history.
GAME CENTRE
OWEN SOUND 6 BARRIE 1
Big winger Jonah Gadjovich (10, 11) led the way with two goals and an assist as the Owen Sound Attack defeated the visiting Barrie Colts 6-1. Both Kevin Hancock (12) and Petrus Palmu (23) chipped in with a goal and an assist while rookie goaltender Riley Daniels made 28 saves in Owen Sound’s third straight win. Matt Schmalz (5) and Aidan Dudas (5) also scored for the bears, who jumped ahead of Kitchener for third in the Midwest Division with a record of 19-13-1-0. Lucas Chiodo (10) scored the lone goal for the Colts as they were outshot 36-29.
GAME CENTRE