The Soo U16 Jr. Greyhounds and Kapuskasing Flyers delivered an offensive thriller on Saturday, October 24, at the John Rhodes Community Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, with the Greyhounds eventually prevailing 8-7 in overtime during a weekend of Great North U18 Hockey League (GNU18HL) action.
The Flyers made an eight-hour bus trip to Sault Ste. Marie over the October 23-25 weekend for three games against the Soo U18 Greyhounds, along with Saturday night’s 8:00 p.m matchup against the Soo U16 Greyhounds.
In a game featuring multiple lead changes, special-teams scoring, a hat trick and a late third-period equalizer, the U16 Greyhounds found a way to secure the extra point when Jeremy Jarratt scored at 9:55 of the first overtime period.
Greyhounds Strike Three Times in the First
The Soo U16 Greyhounds came out flying in the opening period, building a 3-0 lead before the Flyers could find their offensive rhythm.
Kadin Micomonaco opened the scoring at 2:36 with a shorthanded goal, his second of the season, assisted by Lukas Maninos and Daniel McNally.
Just 1:34 later, Jeremy Jarratt doubled the advantage on the power play, finishing a play set up by Jasper Jarratt and Jackson Marchand. The early special-teams success continued at 12:42 when Jasper Jarratt scored his sixth goal of the season, with Jayden Fisher-Ruck and Lukas Maninos collecting the assists.
The Greyhounds appeared firmly in control heading into the intermission, but Kapuskasing had other plans.
Flyers Turn the Game Around in the Second
The Flyers began their comeback just 1:20 into the second period when Matti Farmer scored his third goal of the season, assisted by Paul Harris and Khamdyn Ross.
At 4:33, Harris cut the deficit to one with his fifth of the season, assisted by Tanner Moreau. Farmer then tied the game 3-3 at 8:14, scoring his second of the contest and fourth of the season on the power play, with Harris and Moreau assisting.
Kapuskasing completed the turnaround at 9:19 when Leon Martel scored his second of the season off a feed from Victor Gauthier, giving the visitors a 4-3 lead.
The Greyhounds responded at 13:00 as Fisher-Ruck netted his seventh of the season, assisted by Maninos and Micomonaco, to even the score at four.
Moreau restored the Flyers’ lead at 14:21 with his first goal of the season, scoring unassisted to make it 5-4.
The back-and-forth action continued as Jasper Jarratt tied the game at 5-5 on the power play at 15:21, with Fisher-Ruck and Hayden Brason-Doan assisting.
With just 24 seconds remaining in the period, Jarratt completed his hat trick, scoring his eighth goal of the season at 19:36. Fisher-Ruck and Gregory Beckerson picked up the assists, giving the Greyhounds a 6-5 advantage heading into the third.
Late Equalizer Forces Overtime
Neither team was prepared to back down in the final period.
At 7:41, Harris scored his second goal of the game and sixth of the season on the power play, converting a setup from Farmer and Moreau to pull Kapuskasing even at 6-6.
Micomonaco put the Greyhounds back in front at 14:13, scoring his second of the night and third of the season, with Cole Braido earning the assist.
The Flyers refused to go away. At 17:08, Moreau scored his second of the game and second of the season on the power play, finishing a play from Harris to tie the contest at 7-7.
Neither team could find the deciding goal in the remaining minutes, sending the game to three-on-three overtime.
Jarratt Delivers the Decisive Goal
The extra period provided a fitting finish to an entertaining contest.
At 9:55 of overtime, Jeremy Jarratt scored his second goal of the game and third of the season, with Brason-Doan recording the assist to give the Soo U16 Greyhounds an 8-7 victory.
Jasper Jarratt led the Greyhounds with three goals, while Jeremy Jarratt added two, including the overtime winner. Micomonaco also scored twice, and Fisher-Ruck contributed a goal and multiple assists.
For Kapuskasing, Farmer and Harris each scored twice, while Moreau finished with two goals and three assists.
Benjamin Clayton and Lucas Martin shared goaltending duties for the Soo U16 Greyhounds, while Alex Gravel tended goal for the Flyers.
Looking Ahead
The Soo U16 Greyhounds will return to GNU18HL action over the November 6-8 weekend when they host the Sudbury U16 Wolves at the John Rhodes Community Centre in Sault Ste. Marie.
After an eight-goal overtime victory in a game that featured relentless scoring from both sides, the Greyhounds will look to carry that offensive momentum into their next home series.
