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Villalta shines for Greyhounds

Despite an overtime loss, the Soo Greyhounds return from a weekend road trip with three out of a possible four points
20170323 Flint Firebirds at Soo Greyhounds Game 1 KA 0002
File photo. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday

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Expected to be one of the top goaltenders in the Ontario Hockey League this season, Soo Greyhounds netminder Matthew Villalta has shown through three starts that the expectation is warranted.

It didn’t come with the desired result, but the third year netminder had another strong night on Saturday, stopping 39 shots in a 2-1 Greyhounds loss at Progressive Auto Sales Arena in Sarnia against the Sting.

“I felt mentally dialed in and physically I felt really good,” Villalta said. “I did everything I could to try to keep us in the game. I’m not happy that the overtime goal hit my arm. I expect to stop those.

Ryan McGregor scored the game-winning goal for the Sting, converting a feed from sophomore forward Jamieson Rees 1:05 into overtime to give Sarnia the win, their third in three games this season.

“I had that exact shot a couple times tonight and got robbed and hit the post,” McGregor said in an interview with YourTV following the game. “I was just telling myself that it was bound to happen eventually. Luckily I got (the winner) post and in.”

Greyhounds Coach John Dean spoke of how important Villalta has been early on the season.

“He was great again and he kept us in the game (tonight),” Dean said.

Overage defenceman Jordan Sambrook added, “(Villalta) played unbelievable.”

“He kept us in that game and that’s what he’s done all year so far,” Sambrook added.

Rookie forward Cullen McLean scored his first OHL goal for the Greyhounds, beating Sarnia netminder Ethan Langevin short side from the right faceoff circle just over six minutes into the contest.

Adam Ruzicka got the Sting on the board with 3:20 to go in the second period when he scored on a rebound from the slot after Villalta made the initial stop on Rees on the play. On the left wing, Rees took the shot and the rebound would wind up on Ruzicka’s stick in the slot.

Fatigue after Friday’s win in London played a role for the Greyhounds but Dean said he was pleased with the Greyhounds picking up three points on the road trip that started with a win in London Friday night over the Knights.

“We looked tired,” Dean said. “We’re a young team figuring out how to play on the road. We looked tired from London.”

“It was obviously a tough game but for me, it looked like a lot of leg issues,” Dean added. “It’s clear that we have some things to work on but obviously we’re satisfied with the result in getting three out of four points (this weekend).”

Sambrook spoke of the Greyhounds young players getting accustomed to playing at the OHL level and using the game as a learning experience.

“They’re young guys and getting used to playing at this level so it will come with time,” Sambrook said.

Making his first start of the season, Langevin made 24 saves for Sarnia.

Both teams were quiet on the power play in the game. The Greyhounds were held off the scoresheet on four power play opportunities. Meanwhile, the Sting couldn’t capitalize on five opportunities with the man advantage.

The loss drops the Greyhounds record to 2-1-1-0.

The Greyhounds return to action on Oct. 4 in the opening game of a three-game East Division road trip. The Greyhounds open the trip in Peterborough against the Petes at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

The team then travels to Kingston the following night to take on the Frontenacs before wrapping up the trip on Oct. 7 in Ottawa against the 67’s.

In other action around the league on Saturday night, in Erie, Ryan Dugas made 27 saves as the Kingston Frontenacs blanked the Erie Otters 4-0. Dennis Golovatchev had a goal and an assist for Kingston.

In Flint, Liam Foudy had a goal and an assist as the London Knights doubled up the Flint Firebirds 4-2.

In St. Catharines, Bradey Johnson, Oliver Castleman, Kirill Maksimov, and Ivan Ldonia had a goal and an assist each as the Niagara IceDogs beat the North Bay Battalion 6-1. Philip Tomasino assisted on three goals.

In Peterborough, Arthur Kaliyev had two goals and two assists as the Hamilton Bulldogs beat the Peterborough Petes 7-1. Liam Stevens also had a pair of goals for the Bulldogs.

In Saginaw, Cedric Ralph scored three times, including the game-winner 3:35 into overtime as the Guelph Storm beat the Saginaw Spirit 6-5. The Spirit battled back from a 5-0 deficit in the game. Liam Hawel set up three goals for Guelph. Cole Coskey had two goals and an assist for Saginaw.

In Windsor, Rickard Hugg had two goals and an assist as the Kitchener Rangers beat the Windsor Spitfires 4-1. Justin MacPherson assisted on three Kitchener goals.

In Owen Sound, Will Cranley stopped 41 shots as the Ottawa 67’s beat the Owen Sound Attack 4-3. Nick Suzuki scored all three goals for Owen Sound.


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Brad Coccimiglio

About the Author: Brad Coccimiglio

A graduate of Loyalist College’s Sports Journalism program, Brad Coccimiglio’s work has appeared in The Hockey News as well as online at FoxSports.com in addition to regular freelance work with SooToday before joining the team full time.
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