Woodstock comes back to squeeze by Shamrocks

WOODSTOCK – The Hespeler Shamrocks squandered a three-goal lead as they were edged 6-5 in overtime by the Doherty Division-leading Woodstock Navy Vets in Provincial Junior Hockey League play Friday at the Woodstock District Community Complex.

Three goals in the final six minutes of the second period, including two in the final minute, gave Hespeler a 5-1 lead at the end of the period. However, Woodstock pulled even with three goals in 2:16 midway through the third and won it on a goal by Davin Gray 36 seconds into overtime that put the Navy Vets ahead for the first time in the game.

The teams were tied 1-1 at the end of the first.

Brandon Lamb and Boden White each scored twice for the Shamrocks while Mathew Styka had the other goal. Riley Panagapka had a pair of assists while single assists were recorded by Ryland MacPherson, Braeden Tyler, Alex Spencer, Lamb, Liam Nelson and Jett Spark.

Gray’s winning goal completed a hat trick while Brodie Kearns, Tyler Smeda and Nolan Brett each had one goal. Ty Crombie picked up two assists while single single assists were awarded to Kearns, Ethan Domjan, Cole Dann, Mitch Penner, Smeda, Gray, Brady Carne, Owen Lukings and Rhylan Warford.

Wood stock outshot Hespeler 31-26 and went 1-for-6 on its power play while the Shamrocks went 1-for-5.

Lucas Hillert had 25 saves for Hespeler while Tyler Bouck had 10 in the first two periods for Woodstock and Scott Rodrigue had 11 the rest of the way.

Woodstock sits atop the Doherty Division at 26-6-3-0 while New Hamburg Firebirds are second at 26-7-2-0. Hespeler is sixth at 9-23-2-0.

The Shamrocks are to host the Wellesley Applejacks, fifth at 14-17-1-0, Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at the Hespeler Memorial Arena.

• Guelph Sports Journal