CALEDONIA ‑ It’s a good thing the Caledonia Pro-Fit Corvairs have a darn good penalty killing squad. They certainly needed it in Saturday night’s 4–1 win over the visiting St. Catharines Jr. B Falcons.
They allowed only one power play goal on eight penalty kills, but St. Catherines’ special teams also excelled, allowing the Corvairs nothing after seven tries.
Defenseman and enforcer Nick Zotti who played with the Mississauga Steelheads on the Ontario Hockey League last season, had his hands full recording 16 minutes in the box. At 6’5” and 230 lbs., Zotti and defensive partner Chadd Bauman (6’3” and 228 lbs.), create what general manager Brian Rizzetto calls the “Twin Towers”.
After a scoreless first period, Tyler Hill and Austin Brown scored to establish a 2–0 lead, however, Falcons’ Nicholas Dozzi connected on a St. Catherines power play with nine seconds remaining in the period. Hill also picked up two assists before the night was over.
Matthew Hore scored at 10:26 of the third period to give his team some breathing room with Michell Fitzmorris securing the deal with an empty netter.
Falcons’ goalie Joel Horodziejczyk had a very busy night facing 51 shots and making 48 saves, while Mark Sinclair stopped all but one of the 28 shots he faced.
At this point in the season, being as big of a success as this franchise has become comes with its own issues.
“Every night we have to sit out three quality players,” says Rizzetto. “That’s not easy for some of the guys, especially the older guys, but we are out to win and that is something they have to adjust to.”
With the Corvairs out in front of the entire 26-team league with 71 points, Rizzetto, head coach Mike Bullard, and his staff take nothing for granted and expect the best every night out of their players.
“You’re only as good as your last shift,” says Rizzetto.
The Corvairs lace up the work boots again this Friday night in Niagara Falls before hosting the Welland Canadians on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m., at the Haldimand County Caledonia Centre.
