Athletics claim hard-fought victory over Excelsiors

It was nearly an entire week off for the Brampton Excelsiors, with six days between their 10-5 loss to Oakville on Sunday and their home date with the St Catharines Athletics on Friday night. Despite leading most of the way, the Excelsiors just couldn’t close out the game. A late A’s run helped the visitors to a tight 9-8 victory. 

Despite an early penalty, and being outshot 17-9 in the first period, Erich Acton and Ethan Harkins combined to give the Excelsiors an early 2-0 lead. Just 40 seconds later, and with four minutes left in the period, Keaton Zavitz got one back, making it 2-1 Brampton after the first. 

The second period was full of offense, starting with Colton Armitage scoring his first of an eventual three, 30 seconds into the period. Harkins would add two of his own, but so would Ty Steenhuis as both sides scored four times. Brampton continued to lead after the second, 6-5. 

They’d open the gap with an early Dante Kulas goal, but then a four-goal run from the Athletics, including a pair of goals to tie the game at seven from Jackson Webster, pushed St Kitts ahead. Zavitz and Armitage added all the offense the A’s would need. Acton’s second of the game came with four minutes left, but down the stretch, the Excelsiors were unable to solve Ollie Vanyo, who made 34 stops for the 9-8 victory. 

Keaton Zavitz led St Catharines with five points (2 goals, 3 assists). Colton Armitage hat trick was the first of his OJLL career, and part of four points. 

Ethan Harkins led Brampton with a hat trick, also the first of his Junior A career. Erich Acton (2 goals, 2 assists), Eric Ward and Bowie Horsman (1 goal, 3 assists each) all had four points, but it was Dante Kulas (1 goal, 5 assists) who topped the Excelsiors with six. 

Both teams next games will come against Kitchener-Waterloo (0-5): St Catharines will host them on Saturday night, while Brampton gets another extended rest, travelling to KW on Wednesday.