Hespeler Shamrocks downed by New Hamburg Firebirds

BADEN – The Hespeler Shamrocks surrendered four goals in the third period as they were handed a 6-4 setback by the New Hamburg Firebirds in Provincial Junior Hockey League play Friday at the Wilmot Recreation Complex.

Hespeler scored the lone goal of the first period and the teams were tied 2-2 at the end of the second.

Jack Restauri had a pair of goals for Hespeler while the other goals were scored by Liam Nelson and Ryan Fraser. Riley Panagapka assisted on two of the goals while Braeden Tyler, Kwang Sheng-Luu, Liam Nelson, Justin George, Fraser and Michael Boyle-Ricupero each had one assist.

Justin McManus had a hat trick for New Hamburg while Owen Bruder, Cohen Van Zuilen and Jayden Fischer added single goals. Anthony Pede and Riley Benko collected three assists apiece while Van Zuilen, Andrew Gear, Jake Thompson, McManus and Josh Soulliere each had one.

Thanks to a 15-7 advantage in the first period, New Hamburg outshot Hespeler 31-29. Both teams were scoreless on a single power play.

Goaltenders Jeremy Gignac of the Shamrocks and Graeme Noye of the Firebirds each had 25 saves.

New Hamburg, at 32-7-2-0 (W-L-OTL-T), clinches first in the Doherty Division while Hespeler (12-27-2-0) will finish sixth. The Firebirds will get a bye in the division quarter-finals while the Shamrocks will play the third-place Tavistock Braves (22-16-1-2).

The Firebirds and Shamrocks are to complete their regular seasons Sunday when they’re to meet at 3:30 p.m. at the Hespeler Memorial Arena.

Playoff dates have not been set for any of the divisional quarter-finals.

• Guelph Sports Journal