Wednesday Highlights: Malik helps Hounds collect precious points

 

SOO 4, FLINT 1
The Soo Greyhounds needed a big win on Wednesday and they got one thanks to Nick Malik’s 31-save performance. The Greyhounds were outshot 32-17 by the visiting Flint Firebirds, but prevailed 4-1 thanks to goals from Joe Carroll (25), Tye Kartye (25), Jaromir Pytlik (22) and Robert Calisti (18). Sault Ste. Marie’s third straight win brings them to within one point of the Erie Otters in their push for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Jack Phibbs (16) provided Flint’s lone goal as the Firebirds fell to 40-21-1-1, remaining five points back of first place Saginaw in the West Division.
GAME CENTRE

 

BARRIE 4, OWEN SOUND 1
Rookie defenceman Connor Punnett (1, 2) scored the first two goals of his OHL career as the Barrie Colts skated past the Owen Sound Attack 4-1 on the road. Josh Nelson (16) scored the shorthanded game winner just beyond the midway point of the second period while Ethan Cardwell (23) also found the back of the net. The Colts were outshot 43-31 but a 42-save showing from Jet Greaves paved the way to victory. Barret Kirwin (30) provided Owen Sound’s lone marker as Barrie improved to 29-28-4-2, holding down fifth place in the Eastern Conference. The Attack dropped their second straight, falling to 30-24-4-4 while missing out on a shot to clinch a playoff spot.
GAME CENTRE

 

KITCHENER 7, GUELPH 4
Down 4-3 late in the second, the Kitchener Rangers pulled away with four unanswered goals to defeat the rival Guelph Storm 7-4 in enemy territory. Greg Meireles (28, 29, 30) scored a hat-trick and finished with a career-high six points while Liam Hawel (23), Serron Noel (18), Declan McDonnell (21) and Jonathan Yantsis (39) rounded out the Kitchener scoring. Axel Bergkvist and Reid Valade both finished the night with three assists while Jacob Ingham made 27 saves for the win. Cam Hillis (24), Danny Zhilkin (7), Pavel Gogolev (45) and Jacob Roach (12) scored Guelph goals in front of 21 saves from rookie Owen Bennett. Kitchener reaches the 40-win plateau improving to 40-16-5-2, five points back of first place London in the Midwest Division. Guelph falls to 32-23-3-5, remaining four points behind Windsor in sixth in the Western Conference. The Rangers won six of the eight meetings between the two clubs this season, including the last six straight encounters.
GAME CENTRE