Matteo Belmonte’s empty-net goal capped a winning week of hockey for the Grandview Steelers.
The fourth-year junior’s second goal of the season gave the Burnaby Winter Club-based team a 3-2 victory over the visiting North Delta Devils on Sunday and a temporary first-place tie in the Pacific Junior Hockey League.
Adam Cronier garnered first-star honours with 31 stops in the Steelers’ cage.
A day earlier, Nicholas Bruyere kicked out 30 shots, including five in overtime, to ensure the Steelers a 2-2 draw with the North Vancouver Wolf Pack.
Trailing 2-0 heading into the final period, Anthony Dispirito, with an unassisted marker, and Cameron Seto, with his first of the year from younger brother Christopher Seto and Lucas Mercer, sent the game into extra time.
Earlier in the week, Grandview doubled the reigning national junior B Keystone Cup champion Richmond Sockeyes 2-1 on the road.
Christopher Seto scored both goals, including the second-period game-winner on a power play from Mercer.
Bruyere was the game’s second star, with 34 stops.
Grandview head coach Aldo Bruno described the team’s strong start as “bit of a surprise.”
“I’m really happy with the young kids,” Bruno said, adding the strong play in the back end is a particular improvement. “I think we’ve really tightened up in that area, and it shows so far.”
With just two 20-year-olds on the roster and 12-first-year players, including goalies Cronier and Bruyere, who are currently fourth and fifth, respectively, in overall goals against average, the Steelers look to make it two consecutive wins over Richmond when they host the Sockeyes at the winter club on Sunday. Game time is 4 p.m.
