Hespeler Shamrocks crush Norwich Merchants

NORWICH – The Hespeler Shamrocks turned in their largest single-game goal output of the season as they clouted the Norwich Merchants 10-4 in Provincial Junior Hockey League play Saturday at the NOR-DEL Arena.

After squandering a three-goal lead when Norwich scored a trio of goals in a span of 5:03 of the second period, the Shamrocks responded with a four-goal run that started 49 seconds after Norwich had tied the score.

Hespeler led 2-0 at the end of the first period and 7-3 after the second.

Jack Restauri led the Shamrocks with three goals and three assists while Derek Taylor and Andrew Harris scored twice apiece. Michael Boyle-Ricupero, Liam Nelson and Riley Panagapka added single goals. Boyle-Ricupero, Nelson and Mathew Styka each had two assists while single assists were awarded to Gavin Logher, Braeden Tyler, Alex Spencer, Harris, Kaiden Gignac and Jett Spark.

Getting a goal apiece for Norwich were Brandon Balazs, Jake Clemmer, Wyatt Adkins and Gary Grahn while Balazs, Jack Kersey and Adkins each had an assist.

The Shamrocks outshot the Merchants 37-27 and went 2-for-6 on their power play while Norwich went 1-for-6. The game featured 76 minutes in penalties including a pair of misconducts and 58 of the minutes were assessed in the third period.

Lucas Hillert had 23 saves for the Shamrocks while starter Carter Spence had 17 for Norwich when he was replaced by Tanner Richardson after Hespeler’s sixth goal at 15:49 of the second period. Richardson had 10 saves the rest of the way.

• Guelph Sports Journal