VIDEO: Greyhounds pleased with homestand finale

For the Soo Greyhounds, the final five minutes won’t dictate how they feel about a 4-3 win over the Hamilton Bulldogs on Saturday night.

In a rematch of last spring’s Ontario Hockey League final, the Greyhounds held off a late charge by the Bulldogs that saw the team score a pair of late power play goals to make the game close.

For the Greyhounds, it was about rebounding from an early goal to play a solid game.

“That’s arguably the best game we played all year,” said Greyhounds Coach John Dean. “I’m a huge believer in learning from your mistakes and the last time we let in a soft goal early, our team didn’t respond in a good manner.

“I’m not overly concerned with the last five minutes,” Dean added. “The number one power play in the league has a five-on-four and a six-on-four

After starting the year with one goal through seven games, Keeghan Howdeshell now has six through his last six games, which includes three on Saturday night.

“He gets out there and he’s like a thoroughbred,” Dean said. 

“As a 20-year-old, it’s natural to want to come in and dominate early,” Dean also said. “Once he gets to doing what he does best, and that’s being physical and being hard on pucks, he generates chance after chance.”

Zack Trott had the other goal for the Greyhounds.

Morgan Frost, who had three points in the Greyhounds win over Kingston on Friday night, set up a pair of goals against Hamilton to bring his season total to 24 points in just 13 games.

“Frost has gone out of his way to show the young guys and the rest of the team that he’s committed to making plays when he needs to and managing the puck,” Dean said.

Barrett Hayton also set up two goals for the locals while goaltender Matthew Villalta made 24 saves.

Dean also praised the play of veteran defenceman Jacob LeGuerrier in the game.

“We were unbelievable in blocking shots tonight and the unsung hero is Jacob LeGuerrier,” Dean said. “This guy shuts down top lines and blocks shots. He’s the most underrated defenceman in the league.”

“We put him in a bit of a shut-down role this year,” Dean also said. “I think he’s enjoying it. I’m hesitant to say shut-down because he can also make plays and jump into the rush. He’s not limited.”

Matthew Strome paced the Bulldogs with two goals and an assist. MacKenzie Entwistle also scored for Hamilton.

Rookie goaltender Zachary Roy made 35 saves.

Saturday’s loss was one in which the Bulldogs were happy with their effort, but the team struggled to generate chances and took penalties that led to a pair of Greyhounds power play goals.

“These guys (the Greyhounds) are a good team and we knew we were coming in against a top team,” said Hamilton Coach David Matsos. “We competed to the best of our ability.”

“Against the Sault, we had to play a perfect game and we didn’t,” Matsos also said. “Against a team like the Sault, you can’t sit in the box that much.”

The Greyhounds, who will set out on a three-game road trip nest week that begins Thursday night in Windsor, improve to 8-3-2-0. 

Hamilton falls to 7-5-1-0.

In other action around the OHL on Saturday night, in London, Connor McMichael had a pair of goals as the London Knights beat the Kitchener Rangers 6-2. 

In Erie, Kyle Maksimovich scored at 2:18 of overtime to lift the Erie Otters to a 3-2 win over the Ottawa 67’s. The Otters scored three unanswered goals in the victory.

In Saginaw, Cole Perfetti scored a pair of goals as the Saginaw Spirit blanked the Flint Firebirds 6-0. Brady Gilmour added a goal and two assists while goaltender Ivan Prosvetov made 19 saves for the shutout.

In Sudbury, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 29 saves as the Sudbury Wolves blanked the Kingston Frontenacs 2-0. Macauley Carson and David Levin scored 30 seconds apart for the Wolves.

In Owen Sound, Kevin Hancock scored a pair of goals as the Owen Sound Attack beat the Guelph Storm 5-2. Guelph goaltender Nico Daws made 37 saves.