Kings best TPH to lock up top spot in Nash Division
The Vaughan Kings remains undefeated at the 2024 OHL Cup presented by FPS Payment as they beat TPH Hockey by a score of 3-1.
In a high speed game which featured tons of skill on both teams, TPH took it to the Kings early in this one with lots of scoring chances, outshooting Vaughan 9-3 in the opening period. Kings netminder Joseph D’Angelo kept it scoreless until Detroit Compuware product Brody Pepoy (1) broke the deadlock midway through the second with a tip in front of the net to give TPH the 1-0 lead.
Vaughan would turn it on after that with two goals in just over two minutes with Alessandro Di Iorio (1) scoring on a slick deke in tight and Tyler Clark (2) beating the TPH netminder five-hole on a breakaway to give the Kings the one goal advantage. Vaughan would lock it down defensively with D’Angelo ultimately stopping 24 of 25 shots in the contest and Alexander Hage (1) scoring the empty net goal to seal the deal.
“They were a good team (TPH), we knew we just had to keep working, getting pucks out of our zone, getting to work offensively and we knew we would get the result,” said Clark as he highlighted his team’s ability to overcome some adversity in the game.
With the win, Vaughan locks up a spot in the quarterfinals and first place in the Nash Division. While they are happy to move on, Clark highlighted how the Kings have bigger goals in mind, saying, “It’s great to be having the success so far, but we have a longer term goal in mind, we just want to win and we’re going to do whatever it takes.”
Vaughan will wrap up the round robin this afternoon at 3:45pm as they look to remain undefeated against the Sun County Panthers. TPH will play in a win and advance game this afternoon as they take on the Oakville Rangers at 5:15pm with the winner finishing second in the Nash Division and advancing to the quarterfinals.
Zephyr Player of the Game
Vaughan – Tyler Clark (F) – 1G (GWG)
TPH – Brody Pepoy (F) – 1G
