Defeating Thorold 3-2 at home last Friday helped their case.

Early in the first, with an interference call on Brandon Keays, Thorold's Ryan Federman fired one past Niagara Falls goalie Matthew Szostak on the power play, but Shawn Kavanaugh responded with less than a minute less in the period to tie the game.

With the man advantage, Canucks defenceman Shawn Connors ripped a shot past rookie Thorold goaltender Chad March to take the lead. Thorold's American import, Eric Defelice tied it up shortly after. The Canucks' game winning goal came from Kyle Jukosky on a pass from Cam McLean.

McLean finished the night with three assists. Joel Scott and Jukosky also posted one assist each. Niagara Falls narrowly outshot Thorold 38-37.

On the road at Welland Main Rink, against the struggling Welland Jr. Canadians (3-14-3), the Canucks lost 8-7.

With eight goals scored in total in the first period, Niagara Falls scored the first marker of the game from Jukosky. Welland's Mike Marquis, Dylan Potts and former Canuck Tyler McFadden all responded with goals of their own before the game was five minutes old. Niagara Falls' power play came to life on markers from Joel Scott and Mike Kusy. McFadden and Adam Duliban would close out the period with a goal each.

Dalton Jay would increase Welland's lead 44 seconds into the second and Tyler McFadden notched his third goal for the hat trick. Connors ended the second period with a power play marker to close the gap 7-5 in favour of Welland.

Niagara Falls came out of the gate in the third on goals by JT MacDonald and Mike Kusy to tie it up, but Jason Duliban beat goaltender Jacob Rattie for the winner. Canucks goalie Matthew Szostak was yanked in the second period in favour of Rattie.

Niagara Falls outshot Welland 46-36. The Canucks now sit with a record of 11-10-2 and have outscored their opponents 109-97. They host the Fort Erie Meteors (9-13-1) on Nov. 14 at Memorial Arena at 7:30 p.m.