Niagara came out of the gate flying and never looked back. The Lock Monsters scored 44 seconds into the game and then hammered in 19 more for the 20-11 victory over the visiting Ohsweken Demons.
Niagara led 4-1 after 1 quarter and were up 14-3 by halftime. The teams traded goals in the 3rd quarter scoring 3 apiece making it 17-6 going into the final frame. There was a bit of a scrum near the end of the 3rd with penalties assessed to both teams. Wayne VanEvery and Chris Janese were exchanging some stick work when Dylan Llord came in with his gloves dropped trying to start a fight. Llord was assessed a fighting game misconduct on the play while VanEvery and Janese received offsetting coincidentals.
The Demons came out possessed to start the final quarter as they exploded with three unanswered goals in the first 5 minutes; two of those were powerplay markers. Once they were back to even strength though the Monsters took control again starting with another goal from Favero giving him 4 goals and 3 assists in the game. Kim Squire and Corey Fowler would also score late in the 4th quarter to add to their totals. Squire finished the game with 3 goals 2 assists and Corey Fowler ended the night with 4 goals and 3 assists.
Garrett Ball also had a huge game for the Monsters adding 4 goals and 3 assists while Chris Janese and Kavan Sullivan contributed strong efforts at both ends of the floor. Connor Danko was a wall for Niagara stopping 44 of the 55 shots he faced. Danko did let in a soft one but looked like an all star goalie all night long, staving off any chance of a Demons comeback.
The Demons were led by Wayne VanEvery who had 3 goals 3 assists and Kyle Isaacs who tallied 2 goals and 2 assists. Jeff Powless took the loss in net and was pulled with 7 minutes left in the game after allowing 16 goals on 57 shots. His replacement Randy Johnson might as well have been the major league pitcher with the same name; he let in 4 of the 5 shots he faced and looked shaky.
The Demons remain 2 points up on Niagara for 2nd place but they also have two games in hand.
Niagara plays again Tuesday night versus the Iroquois Ironmen and then they’re in Barrie for a Sunday matinee against the last place Blizzard. Oshweken doesn’t play again until Sunday night when they’re at home to face the first place Toronto Shooting Stars in what should be the best game of the week.
