Eight is enough for Falcons in win over Warriors
By BILL POTRECZ Standard Staff
Spencer DeWolfe is the epitome of a team player.
The 18-year-old St. Catharines native is willing to do whatever is asked of him — big or small, on or off the ice — to help the Falcons win.
DeWolfe came through with a big night on the ice Friday with a goal and three assists as the Falcons dominated the Stoney Creek Warriors 8-0 in a Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, Golden Horseshoe Conference game at Jack Gatecliff Arena.
The win improves St. Catharines’ record to a league leading 35-6-2.
The Warriors drop to 13-28-3.
DeWolfe’s attitude is much appreciated by St. Catharines coach/general manager Frank Girhiny.
“He understands his role,” Girhiny said. “He doesn’t question when he sometimes doesn’t get the ice time and when he does get it, he capitalizes well for us.
“Those are the kind of players you need on your team to win.”
DeWolfe, the nephew of former NHL star Brian Bellows, now has seven goals and 21 points in 33 games, very respectable numbers for the amount of ice time and the situations in which he is used.
“My role is the shutdown guy who brings energy to the team,” DeWolfe said. “If I help defensively, it helps us.”
DeWolfe is well aware not everyone can be a top six forward, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t valuable contributors.
“I’ve always looked up to players in the NHL who are two-way players,” he said. “Only so many guys can score so if you want ice time you have to play defensively. I’ve always liked the penalty kill, that’s probably my strongest asset.”
DeWolfe began the season with the Falcons last year and played in 32 games before he was released. He ended up signing with the Grimsby Peach Kings just before the deadline and helped the Peach Kings to an Ontario Junior C championship.
“I was a top penalty killer in Grimsby,” he said.
DeWolfe admitted it was tough to drop down to junior C last season.
“I was never told I was released. I was just told I wasn’t going to be playing anymore games, that I was just going to be practicing so I was confused,” he said. “I got several calls from across the league and I signed with Grimsby. They were a first class organization and they helped me a lot.”
DeWolfe, who is a noted prankster, admitted he wasn’t sure he wanted to return to the Falcons.
“I had some trust issues coming back (to St. Catharines), DeWolfe said candidly. “I was going to stay in Grimsby but I met with Frank and he trusted me. Someone is finally using me to what my game is.”
DeWolfe, who plans to be a special needs teacher, combined with linemates Jesse Miller (1-2) and Tyler Jackson (2-0) for a nine-point night. Not bad for a fourth line, who were rewarded with all three game stars.
The Falcons dominated from start to finish, leading 2-0 after one period and 4-0 after two. The Falcons outshot Stoney Creek 48-9 and only the outstanding work of Warriors netminder Brock Novak kept the Falcons in single digits.
“I thought we did really well,” Girhiny said. “We have to keep getting better every period for the next 10 games going into the playoffs.
“For the most part, in an 8-0 game, they stuck to the game plan and didn’t sway from it too much. They really executed well.”
Falcon facts: Josh Moes (upper body), Luke Karaim, (suspension), Brad Pope (knee) and Koddi Quick (food poisoning) did not dress for the Falcons . . . Mike Marquis of Welland was named Golden Horseshoe player of the month for January while Cody Vinnai of Niagara Falls was the goaltender of the month and Joseph Monticchio of Stoney Creek defenceman of the month . . . Falcons centre Jesse Miller wore a goaltender’s helmet for the shoot-a-rama at intermission. He missed both shots.
bpotrecz@stcatharinesstandard.ca
