SPIRIT THIS WEEK: STOUFFVILLE SQUAD, RILEY POPE END JANUARY ON HEATER OF ‘CINEMATIC’ PROPORTIONS

Assistant Coach Rob Ascenzi and Spirit players brace for impact as Danny Thomakos rides a Wellington Duke into the boards during the Spirit’s 7-6 double-overtime win at the Stouffville Arena Thursday. (Photo by Andy Corneau / OJHL Images)

Spirit celebrates Groundhog Day in back-to-back 2OT wins days ahead of  the actual holiday

The Stouffville Spirit appeared to be starring in the movie Groundhog Day a couple of days ahead of  the actual holiday.

There they were in Pickering Friday night, celebrating their second double-overtime victory in two days, 3-2 over the host Panthers.

On Thursday, they did it at home in a matinee performance, 7-6 over the Wellington Dukes, the team they are chasing in the Ontario Junior Hockey League.

And while they were both proverbial team wins with plenty of big hits, timely saves and blocked shots, the common denominator over those starry 28 hours was third-year Spirit forward Riley Pope.

Riley Pope scored four goals, including the first of two back-to-back, overtime game-winners, against Wellington at the Stouffville Arena Thursday. (Jim Mason/Spirit photo)

Maybe best known for his dogged forecheck and body checks, the Bolton product is on a heater of epic proportions.

He scored all three Spirit goals Friday.

On Thursday, he netted four.

The back-to-back game winners came off his hot stick.

He was a popular pick to don the player-of-the-game belt, as selected by his teammates, both nights.

As Spirit play-by-play broadcaster Chris Mayberry called it: “The Riley Pope Show.”

Pope totalled 17 points (11 goals/6 assists) in nine games during January. 

On the season, Pope has the ninth highest point total – 27 goals and 33 assists for 60 points  –  in the OJHL. There are more than 500 players in the 24-team league.

“…trying to stay positive through all situations. Focusing on having an offensive mentality.”

Pope, who has never scored four goals in a game, last had a a hat trick way back in his U13 season.

“Just focus,” said Pope in explaining his scoring heroics, “trying to stay positive through all situations. Focusing on having an offensive mentality.”

Pope was not alone in accumulating points during the month.

Julian Demglio had 15 (6 goals/9 assists) and Lachlan Wells 14 (5 goals/9 assists).

The Spirit went 7-2-0-0 in January to improve to 27-15-0-4. They’re in fifth place in the OJHL East, one point behind Wellington who has two games in hand.

That translates to a winning percentage of .630, a clip that has not been seen in these parts for more than 10 years.

There aren’t X’s on the OJHL website denoting teams that have secured a playoff position yet, but the Spirit, firmly entrenched in the middle of the standings, is preparing for the postseason.

Overall we are pleased with the progress of our team,” said Head Coach TJ Hill. “Our focus is on getting better every day and doing everything we can to make sure we are as prepared as possible for March.”

The Spirit’s regular season schedule ends March 1.

SCHEDULE

Feb. 8, Trenton at Stouffville, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 10, Stouffville at Cobourg, 7 p.m.

Feb. 14, Stouffville at Aurora, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 16, Stouffville at Lindsay, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 17, Pickering at Stouffville, 2:30 p.m.

Feb. 20, Markham at Stouffville, 7:30 p.m.

SCORES

Jan. 31, Stouffville 3, Pickering 2 (2OT)

Assisting on Riley Pope’s hat trick goals in Pickering were Josh Bonnyman, Lucas Manikis, Demiglio, Zack Corte, Max Davidson and David Paglia. Kyle Downey made 29 saves, including several of the outstanding variety in overtime,  to improve his record to 20-10.

Jan. 30, Stouffville 7, Wellington 6 (2OT)

A wild afternoon affair at the Stouffville Arena. The Spirit went up 5-1 in the second period only to be trailing 6-5 in the third. Pope tied it with 1:43 remaining in regulation and won it at 2:49 of the second overtime, parting the Wellington defencemen like the Red Sea and blasting the puck past goaltender Jacob Brown.

Like Downey the next night, Masen Johnston made key saves in overtime for Stouffville. Other goal scorers were Peter Smith (his first since being acquired from North York), Manikis and Corte. Two-assist games for Wells, Davidson and Bonnyman.

COMMUNITY

Spirit 50/50 draw proceeds during February will go to the Ontario SPCA York Region Animal Centre. The Spirit’s third annual OSPCA game will be played Feb. 27, with reps from the OSPCA in attendance. Spirit players will visit the centre next week.

You’re invited to Skate with the Spirit players on Feb. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the new Stouffville Skate Trail in Memorial Park. Donate to the local food bank. Prizes. Autographs.

A free, fun night. Bring the entire family.

MEDIA

All Spirit games are broadcast on 102.9FM  whistlefm.ca  radio and FloHockey TV. 

https://www.flohockey.tv/leagues/10826657-ontario-junior-hockey-league-ojhl (subscription required).

Chris Mayberry and Jason Rehel have the call on TV and radio during games played at the Stouffville Arena.

Spirit This Week is sponsored by Farmer Jack’s in Stouffville.