The Applekings started the season hot on Special Teams, going 3 for 5 on the Power Play and adding a Shorthanded tally. This helped the Applekings top the Coyotes, 7-3, in their Home Opener on Saturday Night.
The first period got underway after roster introductions and a ceremonial puck drop with our Main Sponsor, Preston Owen and Thornbury Clear Choice Pools and Spas.
The Applekings got in on the forecheck right off the hop and started to set the pace of play between the two local rival teams. They got on the board first with a quick strike Power Play marker by Mackenzie Fleming (1) assisted by Mitchell Good (1) and Evan Buehler (1). Creemore got on the board just over a minute later on Tayden Hannivans first career Senior Hockey goal (1), assisted by Lucas Drobczyk (1). The period ended with some back and forth action but nothing to show for on the scoreboard. Applekings outshot the Coyotes 14-8 in the opening frame.
A couple of penalties early on in the second period cost the Applekings a goal against on the back of Jacob Drobczyk (1) from Christian Vagenas (1) and JD Falconer (1). The Kings picked up the pace after this goal and were able to draw a pair of power plays themselves. The first, they had a lot of pressure from the faceoff onwards and finished with a goal from Logan Blaser (1), assisted by Mackenzie Fleming (1) and Mitchell Good (2) on a scramble play around the net. Just over two minutes later, the Applekings struck on the powerplay again off the rush on a nice passing play that saw Good (3) hit Buehler (2) in the slot, who quickly fed Fleming (2) back-door to make it 3-2 Applekings. With another quick strike on another nice passing play, saw the Applekings increase their lead to 2 on a goal by Matt Salituro (1) from Jacob Robitaille (1) and Matt Emoff (1). The Applekings would add another with under a minute to go on a nice shot by newly acquired Scott Dorion (1) (Former Coyote) from Logan Blaser (1) and Evan Buehler (3). Applekings outshot the Coyotes 20-12 in the 2nd period.
Early in the 3rd period was quiet until Evan Buehler (1) found the back of the net on a nice set up play from Matt Salituro (1) and Austin Ulett (1). Creemore grabbed another power play marker on a 5-on-3 as Jacob Drobczyk (2) scored his second of the game, assisted by Jesse Chidwick (1) and JD Falconer (2). Things started to get a bit out of hand with penalties on each side the rest of the way. The Applekings also got a bit of a scare as starter, Allan Menary came out of the game with roughly 9 minutes with some leg cramping. Jordan Elwood came into the game in relief and shutdown the final 7 shots of the game from the Coyotes. Mitchell Good (1) finished off the scoring shorthanded on a nice pass from Reid Simmons (1) and Noah Rowland (1). Shots in the 3rd were 14-10 for the Applekings.
Williams Outdoors 3 Stars of the Game for the Applekings:
1st: #17 Mitchell Good, 1 Goal and 3 Assists
2nd: #10 Evan Buehler, 1 Goal and 3 Assists
3rd: #19 Mackenzie Fleming, 2 Goals and 1 Assist
Goalie Stats:
GBA #33 Allan Menary (Win) 20/23 .870 SV%
GBA #31 Jordan Elwood 7/7 1.000 SV%
CRM #1 Dylan Halliday (Loss) 41/48 .854 SV%
Watch the
HIGHLIGHTS HERE from our Home Opener.