Minto 81’s rally to down Creemore Coyotes

CREEMORE – The Minto 81’s scored the final four goals of the game to rally for a 5-3 victory over the Creemore Coyotes in Ontario Elite Hockey League play Saturday at the Creemore and District Recreation Centre.

Creemore led 2-0 at the end of the first period and the score was tied 3-3 at the end of the second.

Minto’s rally started with a pair of goals 35 seconds apart in the final three minutes of the second period. They added goals at the 1:39 and 19:34 marks of the third to secure the win.

Caleb Warren scored twice for the 81’s while single goals were added by Klayton Hoelscher, Jacob McEachern and Riley Cribbin. Blair Butchart and Kyle Heintzner each had two assists while single assists were awarded to Hoelscher and Ryan Maksymyk.

JD Falconer, Jordan Taylor and Anthony Novielli had a goal apiece for Creemore while Kevin Boyd had two assists and Ben Hughes, Taylor, Jacob Vander Zaag and Adam Logozzo each had one.

Creemore outshot the 81’s 26-22. Both teams were held scoreless on their power plays. Minto had five power plays, two more than Creemore.

Mark Williams had 19 saves for Minto while Mason Kameka had 21 for the Coyotes.

Ripley Wolves lead the 11-team league at 13-1-3 (W-L-OTL) while Creemore is second at 12-3-1. Tavistock Royals are next at 12-7-0 while the 81’s are fourth at 11-5-1 and are followed by the Seaforth Centenaires at 11-7-0, Saugeen Shores Winterhawks and Durham Thundercats both at 10-7-1, Erin Outlaws at 6-10-1, Milverton Four Wheel Drives at 5-13-1, Georgian Bay Applekings at 4-11-2 and Lucknow Lancers at 3-14-1.

The 81’s have a pair of games on their schedule next week as they’re to play Ripley at the Ripley Huron Community Centre Saturday at 7 p.m. and host Creemore at the Steve Kerr Memorial Complex in Listowel Sunday at 3 p.m.

• Guelph Sports Journal