It was close for roughly 30 minutes of action between Hamilton and Welland on Monday night, but the Kilty B’s broke the game wide open at the halfway mark of the game, going on to win 9-0 at home.
A hat trick by Connor Haynes and a shutout by goaltender Braedyn McIntosh were among the highlight performances in a game that put the Kilty B’s depth of talent on display.
It was the sixth straight victory for Hamilton (30-6-0), thanks to contributions from throughout the lineup.
Dylan Abbamont (28), Nolan Underwood (16), Matthew Duarte (16), Josh Hampel (2) and Nathan Phillips (10,11) also found the twine.
Abbamont scored just over five minutes into the first period, a tap-in on a Phillips feed on a 2-on-1 rush.
Welland goaltender Keegan Jackson (6-17-1-0) made a number of highlights saves during the first half of the game to keep the game within one, but was beaten for a second time 11 minutes into the second period, this time by Underwood.
What proceeded after that goal was an offensive onslaught by the Kilty B’s.
First, Phillips tapped home a rebound on a Nate Tivey point shot, extending the lead to three. It was Connor Haynes’ turn next, beating Jackson on a partial break only a minute later.
With under three minutes still to play in the second, Duarte scored on his own partial break off a nice feed from Abbamont. Phillips finished the explosive period, grabbing the puck in the slot after an offensive zone faceoff and roofing a shot with two seconds to go before the intermission.
Haynes got his got his second of the game midway through the final frame, this time on a shorthanded breakaway. Hampel followed it up with a goal of his own a minute later, taking a cross-ice feed on the rush, and the defenceman mae no mistake one-on-one against the goalie, beating Jackson on the blocker side.
Haynes finished off the hat trick with three seconds left in the game.
Fair to say we had a productive Family Day.#Bringbackthebuzz | #HamONT pic.twitter.com/HgJ5tb1TIq
— Hamilton Kilty B’s (@HamiltonKiltyBs) February 22, 2022
Welland (14-19-3-0) saw its winning streak end at four games. Fatigue seemed to be a factor, as the Jr. Canadians (playing their second game in as many nights) saw their play fall off dramatically in the second half of the game.
McIntosh (12-2-1-0) wasn’t tested often for the Kilty B’s, but was up to the task when called upon. The 2020 12th overall selection by the Guelph Storm in the 2020 OHL U18 Draft stopped all 17 shots his team surrendered on the night.
Hamilton has a home-and-home against St. Catharines next weekend, starting off on the road on Friday night.
Next Game Matchup Preview
- Hamilton is 3-1-0-0 against the Falcons this season, the most recent matchup being the only loss, a 6-0 thrashing on Dec. 17.
- Catharines played a Family Day matinee game on Monday, beating Niagara Falls 3-2.
- The Falcons are only five points behind the Kilty B’s for top spot in the GOJHL Golden Horseshoe Conference, with an extra game to play.
