St. Catharines Falcons (1968)

For the team that existed from 1943–1947 with the same name, see St. Catharines Falcons (1943–1947).

Ice hockey team in Ontario, Canada

St. Catharines Falcons

City| St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
League| Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League
Division| Golden Horseshoe
Founded| 1968
Colours| Red and White

General manager| Tyler Bielby
Head coach| Tyler Bielby
Affiliate| Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
Championships
Playoff championships| 2012 Sutherland Cup 2022 Sutherland Cup

The St. Catharines Falcons are a junior ice hockey team based in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. They play in the Golden Horseshoe division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. The Falcons play their home games inside Seymour Hannah 4-pad in Western Hill St. Catharines.

## History

[edit]

Jon D'Ilario during the 2014 playoffs. Mark Rodgers during the 2014 playoffs.

The current Falcons franchise originated in 1968. The league entered the Niagara District Junior B Hockey League that same year. The Niagara "B" split with several teams, including St.Catharines, forming the Golden Horseshoe Junior Hockey League in 1974. The Falcons have competed every year in the league since 1968.

In 2012, the Falcons attempted to win the Sutherland Cup for the first time in six tries. They defeated the Brantford Eagles 4-games-to-2 to clinch their first ever OHA Junior B championship.

The 2013-14 Falcons had won the 2013-14 Golden Horseshoe regular season crown with the best record by a Junior B team since the 1980s (45-3-1), but were caught with too many imports against the Caledonia Corvairs and Welland Jr. Canadians. Due to the protest by those two teams to the Ontario Hockey Association, the Falcons were stripped of the two victories, which slipped them back to second place in the standings (43-5-1) and allowed Caledonia a superior record (45-3-1) and playoff seed.[1]

The Falcons won their franchise's second Sutherland Cup in the 2021-22 season after a dominating playoff run. The Falcons swept the first two rounds against the Pelham Panthers and Caledonia Corvairs, outscoring their opponents 40-11 with three consecutive shutouts. In the conference finals the Falcons defeated the Hamilton Kilty B's in a competitive series including a double overtime thriller and a defensive 1-0 battle to close out the series on home ice for the Falcons. The Falcons moved on to the re-vamped Sutherland Cup playoffs to face the Cambridge Redhawks (Midwest Conference) and the Chatham Maroons (Western Conference) in a home-and-home round robin tournament. After defeating Chatham 3-2 (OT) and 5-1 in the first two games, the Falcons lost their third and only game on home ice in the playoffs 4-3 in overtime but bounced back to beat the Redhawks 3-2 to finish the round robin with a 3-0-1 record, good enough for first place. In the Sutherland Cup Final, the Falcons defeated Chatham 6-2 on home ice at the Jack Gatecliff Memorial Arena, which would be the final game played in the historic arena's history. With a chance to win their second Sutherland Cup in franchise history, the Falcons defeated the Maroons 8-2 in front of a sold out crowd of 2300 in the Chatham Memorial Arena and successfully captured the Sutherland Cup.

## Notable games

[edit]

On March 26, 2006, in Game 6 of the semi-finals against the Thorold Blackhawks, the St. Catharines Falcons played a four-overtime game. If the Falcons had won they would have played game 7 on the same day game 6 ended.

On May 4, 2012, the St. Catharines Falcons defeated the Brantford Golden Eagles to capture the franchises 1st Sutherland Cup Championship

On March 23, 2016, the St. Catharines Falcons played the longest game in GOJHL and GOJHL Playoff history against the Ancaster Avalanche. The game included four overtimes and lasted 131 minutes and five seconds. The Avalanche defeated the Falcons 3-2

On May 29, 2022, the St. Catharines Falcons defeated the Chatham Maroons to capture the franchises 2nd Sutherland Cup Championship

## Season-by-season results

[edit]

Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | P | Results | Playoffs

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1968-69 | 36 | 15 | 15 | 5 | - | 154 | 136 | 35 | 5th NDJHL |
1969-70 | 36 | 9 | 19 | 8 | - | 136 | 170 | 26 | 6th NDJHL |
1970-71 | 36 | 28 | 5 | 3 | - | 231 | 124 | 59 | 1st NDJHL |
1971-72 | 35 | 28 | 5 | 2 | - | 255 | 119 | 56 | 1st NDJHL | Won League
1972-73 | 35 | 18 | 13 | 4 | - | 158 | 146 | 40 | 4th NDJHL |
1973-74 | 35 | 22 | 8 | 5 | - | 217 | 137 | 49 | 3rd NDJHL |
1974-75 | 40 | 22 | 14 | 4 | - | 248 | 210 | 48 | 4th GHJHL | Lost final
1975-76 | 40 | 28 | 7 | 5 | - | 291 | 209 | 61 | 1st GHJHL | Won League
1976-77 | 32 | 19 | 7 | 6 | - | 235 | 147 | 44 | 1st GHJHL | Won League
1977-78 | 40 | 26 | 9 | 5 | - | 285 | 167 | 57 | 1st GHJHL | Won League
1978-79 | 42 | 35 | 5 | 2 | - | 322 | 155 | 72 | 1st GHJHL | Won League
1979-80 | 44 | 27 | 13 | 4 | - | 296 | 234 | 58 | 4th GHJHL | Lost final
1980-81 | 42 | 36 | 2 | 4 | - | 308 | 135 | 76 | 1st GHJHL | Won League
1981-82 | 36 | 20 | 9 | 7 | - | 233 | 179 | 47 | 1st GHJHL | Won League
1982-83 | 42 | 26 | 12 | 4 | - | 261 | 192 | 56 | 1st GHJHL | Lost final
1983-84 | 42 | 22 | 11 | 9 | - | 246 | 200 | 53 | 3rd GHJHL |
1984-85 | 42 | 30 | 4 | 8 | - | 274 | 154 | 68 | 1st GHJHL | Won League
1985-86 | 40 | 23 | 10 | 7 | - | 268 | 188 | 53 | 2nd GHJHL | Won League
1986-87 | 42 | 25 | 11 | 6 | - | 231 | 171 | 56 | 3rd GHJHL |
1987-88 | 42 | 17 | 20 | 5 | - | 241 | 233 | 39 | 4th GHJHL |
1988-89 | 42 | 24 | 14 | 4 | - | 231 | 200 | 52 | 3rd GHJHL |
1989-90 | 48 | 40 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 362 | 188 | 82 | 1st GHJHL | Won League
1990-91 | 42 | 26 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 282 | 186 | 55 | 3rd GHJHL |
1991-92 | 42 | 27 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 296 | 194 | 57 | 2nd GHJHL | Won League
1992-93 | 42 | 27 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 272 | 194 | 56 | 3rd GHJHL |
1993-94 | 40 | 34 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 350 | 153 | 68 | 1st GHJHL | Won League
1994-95 | 42 | 22 | 16 | 4 | 4 | 232 | 194 | 52 | 3rd GHJHL | Lost final
1995-96 | 50 | 33 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 224 | 171 | 69 | 3rd GHJHL | Lost final
1996-97 | 42 | 30 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 276 | 169 | 62 | 3rd GHJHL | Won League
1997-98 | 49 | 30 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 248 | 169 | 66 | 2nd GHJHL | Lost final
1998-99 | 48 | 31 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 212 | 140 | 65 | 2nd GHJHL | Won League
1999-00 | 48 | 31 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 215 | 130 | 67 | 2nd GHJHL | Won League
2000-01 | 48 | 12 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 149 | 266 | 25 | 7th GHJHL |
2001-02 | 47 | 10 | 29 | 3 | 5 | 165 | 248 | 28 | 6th GHJHL |
2002-03 | 48 | 21 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 163 | 187 | 45 | 5th GHJHL |
2003-04 | 48 | 16 | 30 | 2 | 0 | 126 | 179 | 34 | 5th GHJHL |
2004-05 | 48 | 26 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 179 | 139 | 56 | 3rd GHJHL |
2005-06 | 49 | 33 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 220 | 167 | 69 | 2nd GHJHL | Lost semi-final
2006-07 | 49 | 34 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 278 | 183 | 72 | 2nd GHJHL | Won League
2007-08 | 49 | 28 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 208 | 158 | 63 | 3rd GOJHL-GH | Lost Conf. Final
2008-09 | 52 | 36 | 9 | - | 7 | 261 | 150 | 79 | 1st GOJHL-GH |
2009-10 | 51 | 38 | 8 | - | 5 | 280 | 146 | 81 | 1st GOJHL-GH | Lost Conf. Final
2010-11 | 51 | 34 | 13 | - | 4 | 218 | 136 | 72 | 3rd GOJHL-GH | Lost Conf. SF
2011-12 | 51 | 40 | 9 | - | 2 | 257 | 117 | 82 | 1st GOJHL-GH | Won League
2012-13 | 51 | 39 | 8 | - | 4 | 298 | 131 | 82 | 1st GOJHL-GH | Lost Round Robin SF
2013-14 | 49 | 43 | 5 | - | 1 | 253 | 128 | 87 | 2nd GOJHL-GH | Lost Conf. Final
2014-15 | 49 | 31 | 13 | - | 5 | 222 | 130 | 67 | 2nd GOJHL-GH | Won Conf. Quarter-finals, 4-1 (Blackhawks)
Won Conf. Semi-finals, 4-1 (Jr. Canadians)
Lost Conf. Finals 1-4 (Corvairs)
2015-16 | 50 | 33 | 12 | 2 | 3 | 212 | 121 | 71 | 2nd of 8-GH
5th of 26 GOJHL | Won Conf. Quarter-finals, 4-1 (Jr. Canadians)
Won Conf. Semi-finals, 4-2 (Avalanche)
Lost Conf. Finals 0-4 (Corvairs)
2016-17 | 50 | 40 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 289 | 101 | 83 | 2nd of 9-GH
3rd of 27 GOJHL | Won Conf. Quarter-finals, 4-0 (Panthers)
Won Conf. Semifinals, 4-2 (Canucks)
Lost Conf. Finals 2-4 (Corvairs)
2017-18 | 50 | 38 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 227 | 116 | 80 | 2nd of 9-GH
3rd of 26 GOJHL | Won Conf. Quarter-finals, 4-0 (Panthers)
Won Conf. Semifinals 4-3 (Jr. Canadians)
Lost Conf. Finals 0-4 (Corvairs)
2018-19 | 47 | 39 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 259 | 105 | 80 | 2nd of 8-GH
2nd of 25 GOJHL | Won Conf. Quarter-finals, 4-0 (Jr. Canadians)
Won Conf. Semifinals 4-2 (Kilty B's)
Lost Conf. Finals 3-4 (Canucks)
2019-20 | 50 | 33 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 201 | 119 | 68 | 3rd of 9-GH
8th of 26 GOJHL | Won Conf. Quarter-finals, 4-0 (Panthers)
Incomplete Conf. Semifinals 3-2 (Canucks)
remaining playoffs cancelled
2020–21 | Season lost due to Covid-19
2021-22 | 48 | 36 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 178 | 78 | 74 | 2nd of 8-GH
2nd of 25 GOJHL  | Won Conf. Quarter-finals, 4-0 (Panthers)
Won Conf. Semifinals 4-0 (Corvairs)
Won Conf. Finals 4-2 (Kilty B's)
GH Conference Champions
Round Robin 3-1 vs. (Maroons) & (Redhawks}
Won League Finals 2-0 (Maroons)
Sutherland Cup Champions (2nd)
2022-23 | 50 | 38 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 194 | 111 | 82 | 1st of 8-GH
1st of 25 GOJHL | Won Conf. Quarter-finals, 4-0 (Panthers)
Lost Conf. Semifinals 3-4 (Corvairs)
2023-24 | 50 | 36 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 194 | 128 | 74 | 3rd of 7-GH
5th of 23 GOJHL | Won Conf. Quarter-finals, 4-1 (Panthers)
Lost Conf Semifinals, 2-4 (Meteors)
2024-25 | 50 | 35 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 202 | 137 | 72 | 1st of 11 East Conf
3rd of 23 GOJHL | Won Conf. Quarter-finals, 4-1 (Kilty B's)
Won Conf Semifinals, 4-0 (Titans)
Won Conf Final 4-2 (Meteors)
Lost Sutherland Cup 2-4 (Maroons)

## Sutherland Cup appearances

[edit]

1979: Streetsville Derbys defeated St. Catharines Falcons 4-games-to-none
1990: Stratford Cullitons defeated St. Catharines Falcons 4-games-to-none
1994: Waterloo Siskins defeated St. Catharines Falcons 4-games-to-2
1997: Elmira Sugar Kings defeated St. Catharines Falcons 4-games-to-3
2000: Cambridge Winterhawks defeated St. Catharines Falcons 4-games-to-none
2012: St. Catharines Falcons defeated Brantford Eagles 4-games-to-2
2014: Caledonia Corvairs defeated St. Catharines Falcons 4-games-to-3
2022: St. Catharines Falcons defeated Chatham Maroons 2-games-to-none

## Notable alumni

[edit]

* Steve Bancroft
* Brian Bellows
* Ryan Christie
* Jeff Greenlaw
* Paul Laus
* Daultan Leveille
* Rob Robinson
* Andy Rymsha
* Steve Rymsha
* Riley Sheahan
* Vic Teal
* Jacques Michaud
* Arber Xhekaj

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Costly clerical error | St. Catharines Standard". Archived from the original on 2014-02-28. Retrieved 2014-02-25.

## External links

[edit]

* Falcons Webpage
* GOJHL Webpage

* v
* t
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Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League

Teams|

* Ayr Centennials
* Brantford Bandits
* Caledon Bombers
* Caledonia Corvairs
* Cambridge Redhawks
* Chatham Maroons
* Elmira Sugar Kings
* Fort Erie Meteors
* Hamilton Kilty B's
* Kitchener-Waterloo Siskins
* Komoka Kings
* LaSalle Vipers
* Listowel Cyclones
* London Nationals
* Pelham Panthers
* Port Colborne Sailors
* St. Catharines Falcons
* St. Marys Lincolns
* St. Thomas Stars
* Sarnia Legionnaires
* Stratford Warriors
* Strathroy Rockets
* Welland Jr. Canadians

Seasons|

* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25

Relocated teams|

* Ancaster Avalanche
* Brantford Eagles
* Kitchener Dutchmen
* Lambton Shores Predators
* Owen Sound Greys
* Petrolia Jets
* Stoney Creek Warriors
* Tecumseh Chiefs
* Thorold Blackhawks

Former teams|

* Buffalo Regals
* Cambridge Winter Hawks
* Leamington Flyers
* Niagara Falls Canucks

History|

* CJBHL
* MetJHL
* WJBHL
* GHL
* MWJHL
* WOHL
* MOJBHL
* EJBHL
* NDJBHL

* Sutherland Cup
* Ontario Hockey Association
* Hockey Canada

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