Katchouk's four points help Greyhounds to big win

A six-goal outburst in the second period turned what was a close game into a rout and the ideal way to head into the Christmas break for the Soo Greyhounds.

Leading 1-0, the Greyhounds scored three times in the opening five minutes of the second period and cruised to an 8-1 win over the Sarnia Sting on Sunday afternoon at the Essar Centre.

Pleased with the start to the game, Greyhounds Coach Drew Bannister credited the second period as a difference in the game.

“In the second period we took over the game,” Bannister said. “We created a lot of chances and were able to capitalize.”

In addition to a strong second, the Greyhounds got off to a good start in the contest and finished strong despite the big lead heading into the final period.

“We were good throughout the game, even when the game was getting out of hand we did a lot of good things,” Bannister said. “The guys stuck to the process.”

“That’s what we needed,” Greyhounds forward Boris Katchouk said of the win. “We finally stayed consistent through all three periods and it showed in the results,”

Katchouk finished the day with two goals and two assists to pace the Greyhounds offensively. The line of Katchouk, Tim Gettinger and Hayden Verbeek combined for seven points in the win. Gettinger picked up a goal and an assist while Verbeek chipped in with an assist.

“Our line played really well and our chemistry is really building up,” Katchouk said. “Hopefully we can carry it on to the second half.”

“He was good again and he could have had a lot of other opportunities,” Bannister said of Katchouk. “He was passing up some plays to help out his linemates. He played well. There were a lot of guys that played really well tonight.”

Bobby MacIntyre had a goal and two assists while Jack Kopacka, Zach Senyshyn and Liam Hawel also scored.

In addition to a power play goal by Kopacka early in the second period, the Greyhounds added a pair of shorthanded goals in the win.

Greyhounds goaltender Joseph Raaymakers stopped 29 shots.

“He looked confident,” Bannister said. “A lot of shots were from the outside but there weren’t a lot of rebounds. His rebound control was really good.”

Bannister spoke of the Greyhounds desire to limit teams to under 30 shots in games and was pleased with the defensive effort against Sarnia.

“I was surprised at the amount of shots they got but a lot of them were from the perimeter, which is fine,” Bannister said. “We did a really good job. We don’t give up a lot of Grade-A chances when we’re in the defensive zone. We’re pretty tight.”

For the Sting, St. Louis Blues prospect Jordan Kyrou had the lone goal in the loss. Justin Fazio got the start in goal but was pulled after surrendering seven goals on 27 shots. Aidan Hughes came in and stopped 17 of 18 shots in the final 25 minutes of the game.

“We had a good start and did a lot of good things in the first period,” said Sarnia Coach Derian Hatcher.

Hatcher said the Greyhounds special teams goals “took a lot out of us” adding that the Greyhounds scoring three times in just over five minutes to start the second period was tough.

“To come out and give a couple up (early in the period) was the game,” Hatcher said.

The game was the final contest for both teams ahead of the Christmas break and the Greyhounds will take a 24-8-2-0 record into the second half of the season.

“You always have a little bit of worry about your guys and how they react going into the Christmas break but I think this sets the tone for us,” Bannister said. “We had a really good first half and we’re trending in the right direction.”

The Sting head into the Christmas break with a 17-13-4-0 record and for Hatcher, the break will be an opportunity to recharge.

“The message (to the players) was to enjoy the break,” Hatcher said. “We forget that they’re young kids. Go home and enjoy the holidays and come back ready to work.”

The Greyhounds now look at a nine-day break between games as the team returns to action on Dec. 28 in the first game of a two-game road trip in Flint against the Firebirds. The team will then face the Saginaw Spirit in Saginaw on Dec. 29 before ending 2016 on New Years Eve with a home game against the Guelph Storm.

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OTHER SCORES

In Mississauga, Jared Steege’s goal 46 seconds into overtime gave the Ottawa 67’s a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over the Mississauga Steelheads. Steege had a pair of goals as the 67’s scored three unanswered goals in the win. Ben Evans chipped in with a goal and an assist for the 67’s. Drake Rymsha also scored for Ottawa. Spencer Watson scored twice while Brendan Harrogate also scored for the Steelheads.

In North Bay, Logan DeNoble had two goals and two assists as the Peterborough Petes beat the North Bay Battalion 5-2. Adam Timleck assisted on a pair of Petes goals. Cole Fraser, Josh Coyle and Matt Spencer also scored for Peterborough while goaltender Dylan Wells stopped 33 shots. Daniil Vertiy and Brett McKenzie scored for the Battalion.

The lone other game on Sunday was a 6:05 p.m. start in Oshawa between the Hamilton Bulldogs and Oshawa Generals.