Ontario Hockey Association

Elmira 1 at Thorold 5

The Thorold Blackhawks avoided elimination from the GOJHL Sutherland Cup with a convincing 5-1 win over the Elmira Sugar Kings in Friday's round-robin game in front of 985 spectators at Thorold Arena.

The win is the first of the round-robin for the Blackhawks who are now tied with the Sugar Kings at 1-2. The Tecumseh Chiefs sit atop the standings with a 2-0 record. Tecumseh can clinch a berth in the championship series with a win in Elmira Saturday night (7:00pm start). The final round-robin game is Sunday when the Chiefs host the Blackhawks (7:00pm start).

Faced with the prospect of their season ending with a loss, the Blackhawks came up with their best performance of the round-robin to date as they fired a total of 50 shots on Elmira netminder Dan Morrison.

Zach Graham opened the scoring in the last minute of the first period with his second goal of the round-robin. Elmira's Chad Hepburn then tied the game eight minutes into the middle frame. Thorold then took control of the game in a four minute span. Kevin Ward put the Blackhawks ahead for good at 11:07. Mike Bentivegna then made it 3-1 at 15:06. Thorold added two goals in the third to seal the win.

Blackhawks netminder Rick Scarsella was solid between the pipes stopping 40 of 41 shots faced.