By Ken Pagan
As a rookie last season with the Hamilton Kilty B’s, Fred Teeple‘s role was to bring his physicality to the rink every game and chip in offensively when opportunities arose.
The six-foot-two, 205-pound winger put up four goals and 184 penalty minutes in 36 regular-season games in 2018-19.
As the calendar flips to October, Teeple, now in his second season, has already surpassed last season’s goal and point totals and is relishing a new role in showing the way for a fresh swarm of young B’s.
Teeple buried his fifth goal of the season on Monday as the Kilty B’s got things rolling offensively in a 7-1 win over the visiting Pelham Panthers (3-6-1) at Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena.
Nolan Underwood led the way with a pair of goals, while Steven Laforme and Terry Bridgland each had a goal and three assists.
The Kilty B’s wrap up September with a 7-1-1 mark, among the top five records in the 26-team GOJHL.
“Things are going pretty well,” Teeple said after Monday’s win. “We just have to keep the boys together and keep things positive.”
Teeple’s linemates, Jacob MacDonald and Ellis Rickwood, also put up a pair of points each, with MacDonald adding a goal. Christian Pelley had the other goal for Hamilton, while netminder Justin Easter stopped 28 of 29 shots for the win. Jordan Tutt scored for the Panthers, who were outshot 46-29.
“I’m playing with guys on the top line, so they’re moving the puck around well and we’re getting some chances,” Teeple said, although it is difficult to pick out the club’s top line with so many others chipping in. “It’s looking like we can be one of the top teams this year. We just have to keep it positive and things will roll.”
Kilty B’s 3, Meteors 2
The Kilty B’s were coming off a 3-2 win in overtime on the road over the Fort Erie Meteors on Saturday.
Rickwood scored the winner 2:13 into the second overtime period. Andrew Salt scored the other two goals for Hamilton, while Bridgland had three assists. Easter stopped 39 of 41 shots in earning the win.
