After a brief stumble in their third game last night the Avalanche put themselves back in the swing of things Sunday night in Welland. Ancaster put up a pair of goals in the first period and, despite losing the lead late in the third period, held on take the victory in overtime.
Zach Nieminen opened the scoring late in the first period for Ancaster. The goal, his ninth of the season so far, was assisted by Blake Luscombe and Luke Zupan at 16:09 of the first. The Avs doubled their lead to two goals just a few minutes later as Max Balinson lit the lamp in the dying seconds of the period. With just twelve seconds left in the opening twenty minutes Balinson found the back of the net off the stick of Blake Luscombe at 19:48.
After thirty minutes of scoreless hockey the Canadians rallied with two goals in the span of sixty seconds to tie the game at two. After the Avalanche took two consecutive penalties leading to a 5-on-3 Welland power play, the Canadians took full advantage. Matt Cuglietta netted the first goal at 15:29 of the period followed by Brayden Stortz who scored the second power play goal at 16:08 of the third period.
But the night would belong to Ancaster as Zach Nieminen scored the game winner in overtime, and his tenth goal of the season in just four games, at 3:43 of the extra frame.
The victory gives Ancaster a 3-1 record on the young season, good enough to even St. Catharines for second place in the Golden Horseshoe Conference.
Blake Luscombe finished the game with a trio of assists with Luke Zupan, Ryan Lewis and Harrison Domagala also picking up helpers. Nieminen is tied for first place in points this season with 11 total points through four games and sits atop the league in goals scored.
Next up the Avalanche will continue on the road as they visit the Niagara Falls Canucks at the Gale Centre on Friday night at 7:30pm.
Zach Nieminen opened the scoring late in the first period for Ancaster. The goal, his ninth of the season so far, was assisted by Blake Luscombe and Luke Zupan at 16:09 of the first. The Avs doubled their lead to two goals just a few minutes later as Max Balinson lit the lamp in the dying seconds of the period. With just twelve seconds left in the opening twenty minutes Balinson found the back of the net off the stick of Blake Luscombe at 19:48.
After thirty minutes of scoreless hockey the Canadians rallied with two goals in the span of sixty seconds to tie the game at two. After the Avalanche took two consecutive penalties leading to a 5-on-3 Welland power play, the Canadians took full advantage. Matt Cuglietta netted the first goal at 15:29 of the period followed by Brayden Stortz who scored the second power play goal at 16:08 of the third period.
But the night would belong to Ancaster as Zach Nieminen scored the game winner in overtime, and his tenth goal of the season in just four games, at 3:43 of the extra frame.
The victory gives Ancaster a 3-1 record on the young season, good enough to even St. Catharines for second place in the Golden Horseshoe Conference.
Blake Luscombe finished the game with a trio of assists with Luke Zupan, Ryan Lewis and Harrison Domagala also picking up helpers. Nieminen is tied for first place in points this season with 11 total points through four games and sits atop the league in goals scored.
Next up the Avalanche will continue on the road as they visit the Niagara Falls Canucks at the Gale Centre on Friday night at 7:30pm.
