Elora Rocks dumped at home by Delhi Flames
ELORA – The Elora Rocks were doused 9-1 by the Delhi Flames in Western Ontario Super Hockey League play Friday night at the Jefferson Elora Community Centre.
Delhi led 2-1 at the end of the first period and 5-1 after the second.
Chad Herron scored the lone goal for the Rocks 26 seconds into the second period. Alex Uttley assisted on the goal.
C.J. Nicholson and Colin Delaet each had two goals for Delhi while singletons were added by Christopher Martin, Christian Lloyd, Chris Donnelly, Sean Golebiowski and Clay Donnelly. Martin and Jack Gee each had three assists while Delaet and the Donnells — Chris and Clay – each had two. Single assists went to Lloyd, Danny Attridge and Golebiowski.
Delhi outshot the Rocks 46-41 thanks to a 26-15 advantage in the second period. The Flames went 1-for-5 on their power play while the Rocks were scoreless on eight power plays. Delhi also had a shorthanded goal.
Colin Dunne had 35 saves for Elora before being replaced by Liam Austin for the final 16:12 of the game. Austin had two saves. Benjamin Blacker had 38 saves for Delhi while Jordan Lee had two saves in the final 39 seconds of the third.
The result leaves the Rocks at 10-10-2 (W-L-OTL). They’re tied with the Woodstock Lakers (11-8-0) for seventh in the league, but Woodstock has three games in hand. Delhi is ninth at 9-10-1, three points behind Elora, and the Flames have two games in hand.
The standings are tight from second through 10th in the 11-team league. Tillsonburg Thunder are first at 16-3-1 and are the lone team to have clinched a playoff berth with two weeks to go in the regular season. The Thunder are followed by the Petrolia Squires (13-8-0) at 26 points, Tilbury Bluebirds (12-7-1) at 25, Stratford Fighting Irish (11-6-2) and Strathroy Jets (11-9-2) at 24, Alvinston Killer Bees (11-8-1) at 23, Woodstock and the Rocks at 22, Delhi at 19, Dunnville Aeros (7-12-3) at 17 and the Orangeville Blitz (2-19-0) at 4. The Blitz are the lone squad out of the playoff race.
Top eight qualify for the playoffs.
Next game for the Rocks is set for Feb. 16 when they’re to host Woodstock at 8:30 p.m. Elora is also slated to play the Fighting Irish in Stratford Feb. 17 at 3:30 p.m.
- Guelph Sports Journal