Canucks come out flying, take Game #1

The first game of the best-of-seven conference semi-final series against the Niagara Falls Canucks kicked off Friday night inside Jack Gatecliff Arena.

Being off for eight days seemed to rattle the Falcons at the start of the game.  Niagara Falls came out flying against St. Catharines in the first period, scoring three goals in the first 4 minutes of play.  Craig McDowell, Brett Foy, and Zach Pilote each beat Falcons netminder Matt Milne, which forced the Mountainview Homes Falcons to call a time-out and settle down.

The rest of the period remained scoreless, with Niagara Falls outshooting St. Catharines 14-11.

St. Catharines finally found a spot on the scoreboard in the second period when Stephen Ceccanese scored his 3rd playoff goal to cut into the Niagara Falls lead 3-1. Dylan Wood and Paul Clancy assisted on the power-play goal that beat Niagara Falls goaltender Jacob Rattie.

Roughing after the whistle seemed to be the theme of the second period as the teams battled back and forth during the second 20 minutes of play.  Each team received five infractions in the second period, and the two teams tied 9-9 with shots on net.

With a player from each team sitting in the penalty box for separate infractions, the Falcons scored an even-strength goal at the 8:13 minute mark of the third period to come within one goal of Niagara Falls.  Stephen Ceccanese grabbed his second of the game, with helpers from Kevin Caister and Jake LaPlante.

The Canucks grabbed an insurance goal with 4:22 left in the third period, a power-play goal, to make the score 4-2.  Dustin Scott beat Milne cleanly while Falcons forward Riley Jakobschuk sat in the penalty box for a 2 minute head-checking penalty.  Riley Steeves and Cam McLean assisted on the goal. 

The two-goal lead held up for Niagara Falls as they took Game #1 of the best-of-seven series with a final score of 4-2.

Final shots on net were 38-32 in favour of St. Catharines.  Attendance was announced at 755 inside Jack Gatecliff Arena.

Game #2 of the conference semi-final playoff series is Saturday, March 20th, when St. Catharines travels to Niagara Falls for a 7:30pm start.  Game #3 is Monday, March 22nd back at home inside Jack Gatecliff Arena.  Game time 7:30pm.

3rd star - #18 Craig McDowell (NF)
2nd star -#81 Stephen Ceccanese (STC)
1st star - #35 Jacob Rattie (NF)

Player of the Month (Goalie)

Golden Horseshoe Conference
February - Matt Milne

Winning six of his seven starts in February has made opposing coaches take not of this net minder from Newmarket. Matt Milne has been a solid goalie for his St. Catharines Falcons in his first season with the club. The 21-year-old managed to make 141 saves on 156 shots this month and shows no signs of slowing up in the post season. standing at 5'10 and weighing 170 lbs, Milne has tremendous speed and hockey sense when playing in a game. His best performance this month came on the 19th against Stoney Creek, Milne stopped 28 of 30 shots on route to a big 5-2 win for his club.

Click here for Matt's stats on Pointstreak

Player of the Month

Golden Horseshoe Conference
February - Stephen Ceccanese

Scoring 18 points in just eight games during the month of February makes the St. Catharines Falcons forward Stephen Ceccanese the perfect choice for the OHA Bauer Player of the Month in the Golden Horeshoe Conference. His seven goals and 11 assists made him a force that the opposition took note of but could not stop. The 21-year-old Woodbridge native is currently enjoying his 3rd season with the Falcons and hopes to lead them to a Golden Horseshoe Conference Championship. The 5'10, 175 lbs forward managed to produce back to back four point nights in February

Click here for Ceccanese Stats on Pointstreak

 Brett Chandler  Blake Evenson   Rick Vanderhaeghe