Nicholls gets shutout as Patriots blank Hanover

MOUNT FOREST – Marshall Nicholls stopped 10 shots in each period to get the shutout as the Mount Forest Patriots blanked the Pollock Division-leading Hanover Barons 3-0 Saturday night at the Mount Forest and District Sports Complex.

While it was the first shutout of the season for Nicholls, it improved his record to a perfect 6-0-0 in seven games with Mount Forest.

Nicholls joined the Patriots this season after playing 25 major junior games – 21 with the Erie Otters in the Ontario Hockey League and four with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League – during the last couple of seasons.

The Patriots also scored once in each period with Jordan Leitch getting the first-period goal and Matt McLellan scoring power-play goals in the second and third periods. Single assists were given to Connor Paige, Jaxon Gawel, Will Lewis, Brody Leblanc and Austin Griffin.

Hanover outshot Mount Forest 30-27, but were scoreless on six power plays while the Patriots went 2-for-6 on their power play.

Max Wright had 24 saves for Hanover.

Hanover leads the division at 14-1-0-2 while the Patriots are a point behind in second at 14-4-1-0. They’re followed by the Kincardine Bulldogs at 10-4-1-4, Walkerton Capitals at 9-5-1-1, Wingham Ironmen at 8-9-2-1, Mitchell Hawks at 6-9-2-1, Fergus Whalers at 3-11-2-2 and Goderich Flyers at 2-14-0-1.

The Patriots are to play the Ironmen at Wingham’s North Huron Wescast Community Centre Friday at 8 p.m. and host Kincardine Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Mount Forest and District Sports Complex.

• Guelph Sports Journal