Team NOHA Drops OHL Gold Cup Opener

KITCHENER – Justin McCombs scored once in the first and added two more in the third, to help Team Alliance to a 6-0 win over Team NOHA in the third game of the OHL Gold Cup.

The scoring started with a tap-in for McCombs, who was sitting at the edge of Joel Rainville’s crease. The Team NOHA goaltender made the initial save off the point shot and rebound, but couldn’t get across to stop McCombs.

“We had been working hard throughout the game putting pressure on them and the pressure paid off, just scramble in front of the net and I was able to find the rebound and put it in,” McCombs said of his first goal of the game.

Cole Schwindt added a goal in the second, before McCombs would be back at it again with another tip, this one beating Rainville five-hole. Schwindt then added his second of the game before a powerplay would lead to McCombs’ final goal of the game.

On the Team Alliance man-advantage, Keean Washkurak carried the puck through the slot, but dropped it back to McCombs who had a wide-open net to finish the play. McCombs’ third of the game made it 5-0 in favour of Team Alliance.

Ryan Suzuki finished off the scoring for Team Alliance, driving to the net from a face-off, stick handling past Rainville, then sliding it in for a 6-0 win.

“[We have to] forget about the game and just focus on the next one, that’s all we can do really,” Rainville said.

Team Alliance will finish off Day 1 against Team GTHL Red. While Team NOHA starts Day 2 against Team OMHA Black.

Follow along with all the OHL Gold Cup action on Twitter @OHLGoldCup.

By Lee Boyadjian