Matthew Schemelia opened the scoring for the Niagara Falls PowerHawks as they opened the NA3HL 2018-19 season at the Hyde Park Ice Pavilion in Niagara Falls. The PowerHawks would skate on for a 5-2 win to start the season.
Schemelia opened the scoring 5:47 into the first period, with the lone assist credited to Dominic Cappella. Brendan Hayden answered for the Islanders on the powerplay with 6:35 left in the opening frame. Caleb Williams and Jimmy Dravage had the assists on the goal.
Niagara Falls scored the only goal of the second period, off the stick of Evan Shanley 8:04 into the period. Owen Green provided the assist on the powerplay goal.
The Powerhawks jumped out to a 3-1 lead 73 seconds into the third period when Cam Orzechowski buried one into the back of the net. Shanley and Green assisted on the play. Cape Cod reacted quickly. Hayden tallied his second goal of the night only 96 seconds after the Niagara Falls goal. Dravage and Williams assisted on this goal, too.
Dominic Cappella extended the PowerHawk lead 12:24 into the period. Jake Pembleton ensured the win for Niagara Falls with an empty net goal with 97 seconds left in regulation. Collin Rutkowski assisted.
General Manager Frank Vecchio said, “This was a great win for a young team, and we will only get better. Our goalie was outstanding tonight. Congrats to Coach Kevin on his first win.”
Goaltender Noah Spiesz picked up the win for the PowerHawks. The same two teams will face off again Sunday afternoon at the Hyde Park Ice Pavilion. Gametime is set for 1pm.