By Kenton Wolfe | October 13 2017

The St. Catharines Falcons continued their home-ice losing streak Friday night, dropping their third straight match at the Jack Gatecliff Arena to the Thorold Blackhawks by a score of 5-4.

Though St. Catharines pushed the game to overtime, Thorold had a commanding lead in shots with 44 to the Falcons’ 33.

Despite being an area of strength for most of the season, Falcons Head Coach Dan Fitzgerald was unhappy with his team’s special teams’ performance. St. Catharines was held scoreless through three opportunities with the extra man and allowed two power-play goals against on four penalty kills.

“They’ve been successful to this point, but we’ve taken it for granted,” said Fitzgerald. “When we take it for granted that we’re just going to kill a penalty or score a goal on the power-play, that’s when we’re not going to be successful. That’s what I’m seeing right now.”

Falcons defenseman Joshua Chariot opened the scoring in the first period with his first tally of the season.

“I honestly didn’t even see it go in,” said Chariot. “I through the puck down the middle of the ice and it hit off the wall and went in. The goal is huge for me but we as a team need to get back to square one and be better, and we will.”

Thorold forwards Matt Maidens and Mitch Britton also scored in the first period. St. Catharines ended the frame with two quick goals from forwards Tanner Ferreira and Hayden Broomhead.

The Blackhawks tied the game in the second period off a goal from forward Blair Jenkins on the power-play. St. Catharines forward Zach Lawrence got the go-ahead goal for the Falcons before Thorold centreman Brendan Charlton tied the game late in the second period.

Fitzgerald had a theory on why his team was unable to hold the lead.

“I think it’s our level of effort and our level of execution,” said Fitzgerald. “They’re not where they need to be. For our guys, they need to understand that no matter who we’re playing, they need to have that level of effort.”

Shortly after killing a four-on-three penalty kill in overtime, Blackhawks defenseman James Guest scored the game-winning goal.

“We need to do a better job of showing up to play from the drop of the puck,” said Fitzgerald. “But also executing on every single shift that is not only matching, but surpassing the other team’s.”

The Falcons are back in action October 17th when they take on the Buffalo Regals on the road.