A quick start and capitalizing on their chances helped the St. Mary’s Knights to an early lead in the high school hockey city final on Wednesday evening.
The Knights scored three times in the opening period in a 6-2 series opening win over the Korah Colts at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
“When we get off to a good start offensively, we build off that,” said St. Mary’s Coach Mike Oliveira.
“We were opportunistic, that’s for sure,” Oliveira added. “We weren’t crazy about our third period. (Korah) definitely took it to us in the third.”
Carter Magee-Marenger had a goal and two assists for the Knights while Cole Ryckman added a goal and an assist while Cole Delarosbil, Nate Medaglia, Noah Brule, and Marcus Stefano also scored. Cole Ambeault and Josh Gavey assisted on two goals each for St. Mary’s.
Tyler Albert and Nik Gervasi scored for the Colts.
“We didn’t play well,” said Korah Coach Greg Arbour. “We didn’t have our best game at the biggest time of the year.”
“You have to forget it fast and move on,” Arbour also said, adding that he was pleased with the Colts play in the third period.
Arbour credited the play of the Knights through the opening two periods.
“We were sloppy,” Arbour said. “They won the 50/50 battles. They were hungrier than we were in the first two periods. We just need a better effort in our own end.”
Game two of the best-of-five series is Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at the John Rhodes with game three the following night at the Essar Centre. Puck drop on Sunday is 6:30 p.m. If necessary, game four is back at the Rhodes on Feb. 28.