Minto 81’s cruise to victory over Erin Outlaws

PALMERSTON – The Minto 81’s erupted for a 10-1 victory over the expansion Erin Outlaws in Ontario Elite Hockey League play Saturday night at the Palmerston and District Community Centre Complex.

The 81’s grabbed a 2-1 lead by the end of the first period and extended it with four goals in each of the final two periods.

Blair Butchart, Riley Cribbin and Caleb Warren each had two goals for Minto while singletons were added by Owen Torrie, Kyle Heintzner, Blake Nichol and Klayton Hoelscher. Steven Grant had two assists while single assists were awarded to Shawn Lantz, Nichol, Trent Verbeek, Heintzner, Brenden Clayton, Hoelscher, Robert Grant, Butchart, Warren, Cole Pellett, Cribbin, Jake Belvedere and Denver Hill.

Jacob Miller scored for Erin with just less than two minutes to go in the first period after Minto had collected the opening two goals of the game. Sean Caruso assisted on the goal.

Shots on goal were not recorded. Daniel Dekoening was in net for the 81’s while Jacob Tugnutt was in goal for the Outlaws.

Minto went 2-for-5 on its power play while Erin was scoreless on three power plays.

The win lifts the 81’s into a five-way tie for first in the 11-team league. Creemore Coyotes (3-0-0-0), Seaforth Centenaires (3-0-0-0), the 81’s (3-1-0-0), Ripley Wolves (2-0-0-2) and Saugeen Shores Winterhawks (3-2-0-0) have six points apiece. They’re followed by the Outlaws and Tavistock Royals, both at 2-2-0-0. Durham Thundercats (1-1-0-0), Georgian Bay Applekings (1-3-0-0), Lucknow Lancers (0-2-0-0) and Milverton Four Wheel Drives (0-5-0-0) trail.

The 81’s are to host Saugeen Shores next Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Palmerston. That’ll be their fifth consecutive home game and they’ll have one more before they’re to play seven road games in a stretch of eight games.

The Outlaws are to play the Durham Thundercats at the Durham Community Centre and Arena next Friday at 8:30 p.m.

• Guelph Sports Journal