Flyers take two points each from Milton and Niagara Falls

On a night when there was plenty of other sports and activities  including some major league baseball playoff games, the start of the NHL season and the start of Thanksgiving weekend, 750 fans watched the Flyers take on the Milton Menace and battle to a 5-2 victory, Thursday, October 10.

They followed that up with a nifty 2-1 win in Niagara Falls on Friday.

Although Thursday night’s result pleased head coach Dale Mitchell, he wasn’t entirely happy about the team’s execution on the powerplay. The Flyers had five opportunities and did not score any goals. 

“We came out strong, played a good 5-on-5 game, “ Mitchell said. “We attacked off the rush really well and executed big at times but I didn’t love our powerplay today. We didn’t work for pucks, however the good thing is, we can adjust that.”

The contest was a continuation of last season’s physical playoff confrontation. 

The Flyers struck first at 7:38 when  Michael Denney and Gavin Grundner hooked passes with Colton Smith whose cannon-like blast handcuffed Menace starter Ethan Kowatsch. 

Shortly after that, Flyer Sean Truby took the game’s first penalty and less than a minute into the penalty kill, defenseman Anthony Ciaramitaro sent Denney on a breakaway. Denney made a left-to-right move and unleashed a shot that eluded for a 2-0 lead. 

However, Milton roared back at the tail end of their man advantage to narrow the margin on Alexander Siletskiy’s left lane drive. 

The scoring didn’t stop there. The Flyers Gavin Grundner drilled a Colton Smith feed and that tally signaled the end of Kowatsch’s night. 

Backup goalie  Austin McKillop entered and Milton got one more tally on a top of slot shot on which Flyer netminder Marcus Vandenberg lost his footing as he moved. Milton’s Luke Hempel was credited with the goal. 

The game’s overall complexion changed in the second period as the Flyers’ offensive attack flourished and posted 21 shots, including three goals on McKillop. 

Shortly after the game’s midway point Flyer Nick Mahy was given a gross misconduct for discrimination on a play during which Menace forward Gabriel Ciarallo was handed a boarding minor. 

Near the seven-minute mark, Griffin Grundner slipped in Leamington’s fourth goal during a goalmouth scramble as a pile of players from both squads converged on goalie McKillop. A minute later Daniel Vasic ripped a left lane shot that McKillop stopped but the rebound bounded out to Adrian Bosev who was parked to the open right side and flicked it into the opening. 

The sudden flurry of penalties came after the Flyers had notched those two goals to assume a 5-2 lead. 

The final period was scoreless as both teams jockeyed for puck possession and shots on net. The Menace took four minors in the third to the Flyers’ pair – one of Milton’s was for too many men plus there was one offsetting coincidental. 

By the time the final buzzer blew Leamington’s Vandenberg had halted 24 of 26 while Milton’s two goalies stopped 35 of 40.

Mitchell added, “Our guys are working hard everyday and we are seeing the results. “             

Friday night in Niagara Falls the Flyers got a late first-period goal from Degelas, who then added his second tally — the game-winner — with just over five minutes left in the game. Tre Altiman got the victory in goal, turning aside 25 shots.

This coming Thursday night’s (Oct. 17) contest vs the Collingwood Blues will be the Flyers’ Pink On The Rink night as they raise awareness and money for breast cancer. Fans are invited to wear pink items of clothing or purchase pink items of clothing and snacks at the rink. Game time is 7:10 pm. Your support is greatly appreciated.