PETIZIAN SCORES TWICE AS GTHL RED PICKS UP SECOND WIN
LEE BOYADJIAN
KITCHENER – Michael Petizian scored twice in the third period, while Ty Jackson recorded the game winner in the first, leading Team GTHL Red to its second win on Day 1 of the 2017 OHL Gold Cup.
Team GTHL Red and Team Alliance started the game at a furious pace exchanging 27 total shots in the first. Nicholas Wong opened the scoring for GTHL Red, by crashing the net on a point shot and jamming in a rebound.
Jamieson Rees added another for Team GTHL Red just over two minutes later, shooting from his knees on a pass from Brodie McDougall, who was behind the net. Jackson finished off the first with a powerplay goal scored on a lengthy 5-on-3 advantage.
Alliance goaltender Jet Graves, attempted to deflect a cross-crease pass, but instead deflected it into his own net. Jackson was credited with the goal, having made the pass attempt.
In the second, the course of the game could have dramatically changed, if the puck bounced just a little differently. Team Alliance hit two posts and cross bar within the first five minutes of the second, but in the end neither team found the back of the net in the middle frame.
In the third, Alliance got on the board thanks to a power play goal by Cole Schwindt. He was standing high slot, waiting for Navrin Mutter to find a lane and make the pass. Schwindt finished the play with a quick wrister past Ryan Dugas to cut the lead 3-1.
However, off the ensuing faceoff, Petizian walked into the Alliance zone and responded for Team GTHL Red, restoring the three-goal lead.
Jeffrey Burridge added another for Team Alliance, before Petizian finished off the game with an empty net goal, giving GTHL Red its second win in as many games.
GTHL Red closes out the round robin Friday against Team NOHA at 3:45 p.m. Team Alliance also has just one game remaining in the preliminary round, against Team OMHA Black at 6:00 p.m.
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