NEWS

(pictured - For the second consecutive game, the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots outshot their opponent, but this time picking up their historic first win at the RBC Cup, National Junior 'A' Championship - photo credit: Andy Devlin/Hockey Canada Images)

By Jamie Neugebauer - Toronto Lakeshore Patriots

Michael Prapavessis led the way with a goal and an assist and Rory Bell notched the winner by banging in a perfect pass from Nicholas Ursitti at 5:56 of the first period on Sunday as the Toronto Patriots cruised past the Yorkton Terriers 5-1 for the first RBC Cup win in the organization’s history.

The win is especially satisfying after the club felt they deserved a better result in Game 1 vs. Dauphin on Saturday.

“Finishing was really the difference today (from yesterday),” said Toronto assistant coach Ed Kirsten post-game.

“We finished, we went hard to the net and we buried our chances and that was the huge difference today. The guys matched Yorkton’s physicality early in the first period, they felt strong and they figured that we can play with these guys. Sure enough, we got ahead and we played a good defensive game after that.”

The Terriers got on the board first when a turnover at the Patriots’ blue line ended up with a goalmouth scramble and an empty net tap-in for Taylor Thompson at 1:18.

Yet Toronto replied quickly via Michael Prapavessis when the future RPI man wired one through a screen, a mere 22 seconds later.

And it was all Patriots after that.

Rory Bell put the Pats up 2-1 to cap off a wide open first six minutes and then Andreas Tsogkas got Toronto’s third with the man advantage at the 5:48 mark of the second period by whipping home a rebound from a Kevin Shier one-timer.

Ryall Ledyard made it 4-1 at 7:45 of the middle frame when he deflected in an accurate point shot by Prapavessis and then Nathan Feric jammed home a loose puck in the crease for the Pats’ fifth at the 12:34 mark of the final frame.

“The things that we stressed were going to the net hard, really barring down on our chances, which we didn’t feel like we did well enough yesterday,” said Kirsten.

“Today we got some bounces early, we finished and the boys skated hard. We always harp on them about our speed because we feel we are the quickest team here and it showed today.”

Tsogkas also added a multi-point outing while Evan Buitenhuis was strong when called upon once again; making 22 saves in the victory.

Toronto improved to 1-1 on the tournament with a day off Monday before returning to action in a Tuesday afternoon, all-Ontario contest with the CCHL champion Carleton Place Canadians, puck drops at 2 p.m. PST. 

“It is huge to have a day off and build off of this,” said Kirsten.

“We go in 1-1, though we feel we should have been 2-0, but we’re right in a good spot, the boys worked hard today. We told them to empty the tank because we have a day off tomorrow so we’re looking forward to that.”

For the full game summary, please CLICK HERE.