Aces off to Winning Start in GMHL Play

A thundering open-ice hit by Rama Aces defenceman Ty Watt seemed to wake up his club and it turned a sluggish game into an exciting 6-3 victory for the Aces over the Bracebridge Phantoms in their Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League home opener Friday night at the Rama MASK.

Playing before a crowd of close to 700, the clubs exchanged specialty team goals in the opening frame as the Aces netted a power-play marker and the visitors scored shorthanded.

Less than five minutes into the middle stanza, Watt took advantage of a Phantoms player heading through the neutral zone with his head down and delivered a nasty open-ice hit, which led to Tim Murphy of the Phantoms defending his teammate by jumping Watt.

When the smoke had cleared, Murphy was ejected from the contest and the Aces were handed a five-minute power play. They took advantage by scoring three times to take a 4-1 lead after 40 minutes of play.

The Phantoms made things close early in the final stanza with a pair of markers, but the Aces weren’t to be denied in their season opener as they scored the final two goals for a 6-3 win.

Penetanguishene’s Christopher Pilon led the offensive charge for Rama with two goals and an assist and was named the game’s second star. Troy Gunner also notched a pair, while Cory Naughton and Shayne Borden chipped in with singles.

Barrie’s Ryan Pipher had a three-point night with a trio of helpers and Aled Roberts chipped in with a pair. Single assists went to Brady Hubbard, captain Ryan Brain and Joey Molfetta.

Goaltender Tye Greschuk from Oro-Medonte picked up the win for the Aces and was the game’s first star. The loss went to Jacob Xarubica, who was the game’s third star. Bracebridge outshot the Aces 48-47 in the contest.

The Aces continue a four-game homestand to open the season with games against the Lefroy Flames Friday, the new team out of Alliston Sunday and the Mattawa Voyageurs Sept. 27. All four games are slated for 7:30 p.m. puck drops at the MASK.

Rama will play its first road game Sept. 28, when the team travels to Bobcaygeon to meet the Bucks.

(Randy Lucenti, The Packet & Times)