Menace Analyst – Mikayla Guarasci
Milton Menace Preview: Menace at Niagara Falls Canucks – December 22, 2023
The Milton Menace will look to finish out 2023 on a high note as they visit the Niagara Falls Canucks on Friday night.
The Menace made it six straight wins on Wednesday in Buffalo when they beat the Jr. Sabres 5-3. Although the Jr. Sabres scored the lone goal of the first period, the Menace answered with four in the second. Ivan Fabjan, Justin O’Donnell, Madden MacDougall, and Sett Ursomarzo scored for Milton, while Buffalo picked up two. In the third, Ursomarzo scored his second of the game while his team was short-handed, ensuring the win. Glen Crandall made 26 saves on his way to his 18th win of the season.
While the Canucks lost their last game 4-3 to the Brantford 99ers on Thursday, they played their way to wins in the two games before that. This includes a 3-2 upset of the league-leading Collingwood Blues. They have a 10-23-0-1 record this season and sit tenth in the West Conference. They will look to make strides in 2024 and make up some ground in the standings to push for a playoff spot in their first OJHL season.
Niagara Falls has had significantly more success at home rather than on the road, which they will look to continue against Milton. The Menace have played well as the visiting team and have had just two road losses so far this season. Both teams will look to capitalize on their strengths when they hit the ice on Friday. These two teams have met once during the regular season and Milton left with a 2-1 victory, so Niagara Falls will be looking to even the season series.
Friday’s game will be the last for the Menace before the holiday break, and they will work to leave 2023 with a win. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Gale Centre in Niagara Falls. The game will be available on FloHockey, and the Menace’s social media accounts will provide game updates.
