Majors defeat Sound

September 30, 2011 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Mississauga St. Michael's Majors News Release


It doesn't make up for losing Game 7 of the Ontario Hockey League final by any means, but the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors will certainly take yet another victory.

Riley Brace continued his torrid start with another two goals - both shorthanded - and Stuart Percy also scored twice as the Majors won their fourth straight game to start the season with a 5-3 win over the Owen Sound Attack in the Majors home opener Friday night at the Hershey Centre.

Mississauga took a 4-0 lead and ran into penalty problems which resulted in the Attack scoring three power play goals to make a game of it. But Percy's empty net goal added some insurance as the Majors beat the team that won the OHL title in Mississauga last year.

Brace was again the star, as he now has an OHL leading eight goals including an incredible five shorthanded markers after just four games.

"He's (Brace) really rolling especially with all the shorthanded goals," General Manager/Coach James Boyd said. "We're working hard as a team right now too and when you do you create chances.

"There's been some luck involved, especially with all of the shorthanded goals, but when you work hard you make your own luck too. I really like the way we're playing five-on-five."

What Boyd doesn't like is the fact that the Majors continue to take too many penalties and as a result, rarely play five-on-five.

"We are taking way too many penalties and it's going to catch up with us," Boyd said. "We've been able to get by but those penalties will cost us at some point. It's something we're going to work at stopping right away."

JP Anderson was busy stopping pucks all night for the Majors, as he made 35 saves as the Attack out-shot Mississauga 38-29.

"I thought JP was outstanding tonight and that makes up for a lot." Boyd added.

It was all Mississauga early as Brace opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal at 5:57 of the opening period, followed by a power play goal by Percy four minutes later to give the Majors a 2-0 lead after one period.

Justin Rasmussen then put the Majors up 3-0, beating Jordan Binnington up high after taking a nice pass from Mika Partanen just 1:27 into the second period. Brace followed two minutes later with yet another shorthanded goal to make it 4-0 Majors, much to the delight of the 3,240 fans in attendance.

Owen Sound's power play then put them right back into the game, with three goals in the span of 1:40 to make it a 4-3 game. Jarrod Maidens had two of the goals and Daniel Catenacci the other, leaving the Majors nursing a 4-3 lead after two periods.

Percy then sealed the deal with an empty net marker with 28.6 seconds remaining to complete the scoring.

Owen Sound was 3-for-11 on the power play while the Majors were 1-for-7 with the extra man.

The Majors are back in action on Sunday at 2 p.m. when they host the Kingston Frontenacs at the Hershey Centre.



Ontario Hockey League Stories from September 30, 2011


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