Minto 81’s nipped by Ripley Wolves in overtime

PALMERSTON – The Minto 81’s surrendered a goal in overtime as they were edged 6-5 by the Ripley Wolves in Ontario Elite Hockey League play Sunday at the Palmerston and District Community Centre Complex.

Minto led 3-1 after the first period and 5-2 after the second before Ripley tied it with three goals in the third.

Steven Grant, Riley Cribbin, Klayton Hoelscher, Kyle Heintzner and Owen Torrie had a goal apiece for the 81’s. Getting one assist apiece were Trent Verbeek, Brenden Clayton, Heintzner, Shawn Lantz, Blair Butchart and Jake Belvedere.

Garrett Meurs scored the overtime winner for Ripley. It was his second goal of the game while Ethan Skinner also tallied twice. Single goals were added by Alex Kuntz and Dan Nicoloff. Logan Swanton, Cody Britton and Meurs each collected two assists while Jarred Colling, Kaden Hoggarth and Nicoloff each had single assists.

Both teams scored a single power-play goal, the 81’s on three power plays and Ripley on five. Minto netted two shorthanded goals while Ripley scored one.

Shots on net were not reported.

Mark Williams was in net for the 81’s while the Wolves had Jason Hamilton in net.

The result leaves Minto at 3-2-0-1 and Ripley at 4-1-0-3.

The game brought Minto’s season-opening six-game homestand to an end. They’re to play their next five games on the road including games Saturday at 7:30 p.m. against the Durham Thundercats at the Durham Community Centre and Arena and Sunday at 2 p.m. against the Lucknow Lancers at the Lucknow and District Sports Complex.

• Guelph Sports Journal