Patriots edge Walkerton on third-period power-play goal

MOUNT FOREST – A power-play goal in the opening minute of the third period allowed the Mount Forest Patriots to salvage a 3-2 victory over the Walkerton Capitals in Provincial Junior Hockey League play Saturday at the Mount Forest and District Sports Complex.

Will Lewis scored two special teams’ goals to give Mount Forest a 2-0 lead at the end of the first period. One goal was a shorthanded marker while the other came on a power play.

Walkerton tied the score with a pair of goals 55 seconds apart in the final two minutes of the second period.

Matt McLellan netted the winning goal for the Patriots 46 seconds into the final period.

McLellan, Austin Griffin, Lewis and Brody Leblanc each had an assist in the game.

Markus Grajnar-Ptok and Austin Drew scored for Walkerton while single assists were awarded to Chase Lorentz, Owen Troyer, Graham Gateman and Nate Binkley.

The Capitals outshot the Patriots 37-27 and went 1-for4 on their power play while Mount Forest went 2-for-3.

Marshall Nicholls had 35 saves for the Patriots while Vance Meyer had 24 for Walkerton.

Hanover Barons (17-2-0-2) lead the Pollock Division, one point ahead of the Patriots (17-4-1-0). They’re followed by the Kincardine Bulldogs (11-6-1-4), Walkerton (11-8-1-1), Wingham Ironmen (9-11-2-1), Mitchell Hawks (8-11-2-2), Fergus Whalers (5-11-2-2) and Goderich Flyers (2-18-0-2).

The Patriots are to host Mitchell next Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Mount Forest and District Sports Complex.

• Guelph Sports Journal