Ancaster Avalanche goalie Cole Ceci registers 85 saves in GOJHL playoff bout

A decision to relocate from his family home in Ottawa to live with cousins in Hamilton is a move that is already paying dividends in the young career of Cole Ceci.

The goaltender’s latest highlight came in an 85-save performance as his Ancaster Avalanche edged the St. Catharines Falcons 3-2 in quadruple overtime during the wee hours of Thursday morning.

With the victory, Ancaster evened its GOJHL best-of-seven series with St. Catharines at 2-2.

Ceci, in his rookie season, saw his record improve to 6-2 in the post-season to go along with a 2.50 G.A.A. and a .925 save percentage.

“Never anything like that. That was definitely the most (shots I’ve faced),” said Ceci, who spent his Thursday sitting around and recouping from the four hour and 29 minute marathon. “I was definitely getting tired. In that last overtime, getting up after every whistle and stuff was (getting) pretty hard. The referees were telling me to take water breaks.”

With the semifinal series headed to Game 5 on Friday, the Avalanche have a renewed sense of optimism after falling behind 2-0.

“We're going in with momentum now,” said Ceci. “It's nice to come back - it's a 0-0 series (now), start new.”

If the last name sounds familiar, it should. Cole Ceci is the younger brother of Ottawa Senators defenceman Cody Ceci.

With five years separating the brothers, Cole Ceci has benefited from his brother’s path in the game.

While Cody Ceci was manning the blueline for the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s from 2010-13, Cole Ceci was on the bench with his brother as the team’s stick boy.

The gig gave Cole Ceci a prime seat to watch current Detroit Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek, who spent parts of three seasons with the 67’s.

“He used to be unbelievable when he played in Ottawa,” recalled Cole Ceci. “I find I kind of play like him too - really aggressive and quick. He's been a role model for me definitely.”

As for the advice he’s received from Mrazek?

“He says just have fun out there, he's a guy who always loves to have fun when he's playing - he loves to celebrate and stuff so that's kind of how I like to play now,” Ceci said.

The 18-year-old has benefitted from an opportunity presented to him in December when Avalanche starter, Matt Calas, went down with a torn labrum.

Ceci finished the 2015-16 regular season with a 2.57 G.A.A. and a .921 save percentage in 30 starts.

“He's stepped in and definitely grown as a goalie, and definitely as a young man just to be able to handle the pressure there,” said Avalanche coach, and general manager, Ryan Kuwabar, who was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the 1990 NHL draft. “Honestly, I didn't think he'd be our guy right now, but since December he's really stepped in to that role and had the ability and the skill level to keep getting better and give us a chance to win. It's tough for a young rookie.”

The Hamilton Bulldogs have taken notice too.

Originally a 10th round selection (184th overall) at the 2014 OHL priority selection, Ceci’s move to the Hamilton-area has allowed him to attend Bulldogs practices and get acclimated to the OHL skill level.

“I think he's now putting himself in a situation where people are becoming more and more aware of him, and we are,” said Bulldogs head coach and general manager, George Burnett, who has attended Avalanche games since the OHL season ended. “I think he's enjoying the opportunity to play (and) the results are pretty impressive.

“For a 17-year-old to play in any junior league, and play as well as he's played, is a real feather in his cap. I think it’s a tough league. The teams that they're playing against now at this time in the playoffs are good hockey teams. He's facing a lot of shots and good quality shots and he's given them a chance to win every night.”

As it stands, Hamilton will return 19-year-old goaltender Connor Hicks and 17-year-old netminder Kaden Fulcher next season, but that doesn’t mean the door isn’t open for Ceci to steal a job at camp.

“I'm hopeful that he's going to come back and challenge to be a part of our group,” Burnett said. “Everybody is on notice, we missed the playoffs by (five) points. Whether you're a goaltender or forward or defenceman - you better have a great summer and be ready to go or somebody is going to be taking your job.

“You can never have too many top young goaltenders. He's certainly put himself in the mix to be apart of things moving forward. As I would tell any young player, if you're strong enough to play in our league, then I either have to create a spot for you or help you find a place to play.”

When told of Burnett’s confidence in him, Ceci was appreciative.

“That means a ton to me,” he said “I'll definitely be training hard in the summer and hopefully get stronger and faster and come in to camp and just try to play my best, just worry about me.”

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