OHL Soo Greyhounds

Speers Makes Big Impact in Hounds Win over Sarnia

Published on January 9, 2014 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Soo Greyhounds News Release


SAULT STE. MARIE, ON- It came down to a skills competition in the end, and in the sixth round of a shootout Wednesday Night the Hounds put a halt to their three-game regulation winless streak defeating the Sarnia Sting 3-2.

And while they grabbed the two points, the victory for the Hounds didn't come easy.

They trailed through both the first and second periods and despite outshooting their opposition by a 2-to-1 margin, the Hounds lack of offense nearly cost them.

"It's been the story really since we came back in the New Year.  It's just not capitalizing and it's not even the shots on net, we're missing the net a ton.  My ears are sore from hearing all the glass tonight, everything was hitting glass" began Hounds Head Coach Sheldon Keefe.

"We had great chances.  We had chances where we shot it into him (Sting goaltender Brodie Barrick) or we missed the net entirely, we hit some crossbars and posts.  That's been the story here the pucks aren't going in for us" he continued.

The night marked the debut for both BRYAN MOORE (F) and TYLER HORE (D) who were acquired by the Hounds in a transaction with Sarnia on Tuesday evening.

The newest Hounds travelled north with their former club before walking into the Hounds dressing room, and skating onto the ice with their new teammates shortly thereafter.

"Both guys were in a very tough spot today, and I thought they dealt with it really well and we're really excited and encouraged with what they're going to bring to our team" commented Keefe on the two newest Hounds.

Midway through the first period a weird bounce off the end boards in the Sting zone saw the puck come out front to BRYAN MOORE who was turn aside by Brodie Barrick in one of his twelve first period saves.

Sarnia grabbed the 1-0 lead at the 9:42 mark when Nikolay Goldobin was sprung in alone on MATT MURRAY and would tuck the puck past the Greyhound goaltender's left pad for the first period lead.

Greyhounds forwards had chances after stepping around the defence, rung shots off the iron, led 2-on-1 rushes and made give & go plays to no avail in the opening twenty minutes that left them trailing 1-0.

Early in the second period the Hounds were shorthanded for just their second, and final time of the game.

And while down a man in play, MOORE would set-up TYLER GAUDET but was turned aside before a backhand by PATRICK WATLING was after that.  The Hounds had the better chances while Sarnia was on the powerplay.

It would be in the middle frame the Hounds would hold the visitors to two shots against through the opening sixteen minutes, and five overall in what would be a scoreless period for both sides.

The Hounds BLAKE SPEERS would tie the game 6:53 into the third period skating up the right wing and firing his 12th goal of the year, blocker side on Barrick for a 1-1 game.  BRYAN MOORE had the lone assist on the play.

The tie game lasted just 1:34 of play before Sarnia's Patrick White stepped around the Hounds defenceman on the right wing and fired a shot under the right arm of MURRAY for a 2-1 Sting lead.

Then with 3:50 to play in regulation TYLER GAUDET excited the Essar Centre crowd skating around the Sarnia goal and putting a wraparound into the net for his 15th goal of the season and a 2-2 tie through three periods of play.

MATT MURRAY preserved the tie game stopping a Nikolay Goldobin shot just as the buzzer sounded to end regulation.

The Hounds would be heading to overtime for their 9th time of the year, while for Sarnia it was their sixth.

Davis Brown came out of the corner just 1:34 into overtime but a glove save by Murray was one of his two he would be required to make in the five minute extra session.

At the other end of the ice BLAKE SPEERS would have good chances and then with just 39 seconds remaining  SERGEY TOLCHINSKY backhanded a pass from behind the goal line to JARED MCCANN but he would be turned aside.

So it would come down to a shootout.

After Sarnia scored on their first two shots the Hounds stayed alive in Round three with a goal by SERGEY TOLCHINSKY and later save by MATT MURRAY.

In Round 6 BLAKE SPEERS beat Barrick to the blocker side and MURRAY would put the pad stop on Davis Brown to lift the Hounds to the victory.

"I think we're getting more (chances).  In terms of shots on goal, differential in shots, quality chances and all the different possession numbers we keep track of we're doing better now than we were earlier in the season.  We have to keep fighting through it and hope luck comes back our way" concluded the Hounds Head Coach.

With the victory the Hounds improve to 27-10-1-4 on the season, good for 59 points. They will return to home ice for two more games this weekend;  Saturday, January 11th vs Mississauga (7:07 p.m.) and Sunday, January 12th vs London (2 p.m.).

Tickets are on-sale at the Essar Centre Box Office, online at www.essarcentre.ca or by phone at 1.866.775.9422.

SHOTS ON GOAL

Sarnia - 8-5-7-2=22

Sault Ste. Marie - 12-16-12-4=44

RED STAR THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1- SAR, Brodie Barrick

2- SSM, Blake Speers

3- SSM, Bryan Moore

RYOBI HARDEST WORKING PLAYER (HOUND) OF THE GAME

#21 Patrick Watling

Check out the Soo Greyhounds Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 9, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central