Connor O’Toole’s 57 Save Performance Overshadowed By Orangeville’s 19th Win

PHOTO: DAVE FRYER

On Friday night in Brampton it was a battle between the hottest team in the OJLL – the unbeaten Orangeville Northmen – and arguably the hottest goalie in the OJLL – Brampton’s Connor O’Toole. Orangeville has scored double-digit goals in all but three games this season, and after Friday’s contest two of them came against Brampton. Their eight goals were enough, however, to beat the Excelsiors 8-5 and remain perfect at 19-0.

A pair of goals from Eric Ward gave Brampton a 2-0 lead. 37 seconds following his second goal, Liam Matthews scored his thirty-fifth of the season. Joey Spallina added another before the end of the period to tie the game at 2.

In the second, it was Matthews again, scoring unassisted before Jacob Janke re-tied the game. Orangeville took four straight minor penalties in the period. Although Brampton was unable to capitalize, Trey Deere did shorthanded for Orangeville, giving the Northmen a 4-3 lead after two.

A three-goal run to start the third period extended the lead with Kaleb Benedict contributing three points over the stretch. At the midway point of the period, Mark Van Schepen broke out and scored his first OJLL goal. Ward would complete his hat trick, but it was not enough as the Northmen move to 19-0, winning 8-5.

Three Northmen scored twice; Liam Matthews (2 goals, 3 assists), Kaleb Benedict (2 goals, 2 assists) and Trey Deere (2 goals, 1 assist). Chris Origlieri made 30 saves for the win.

Eric Ward’s hat trick led Brampton offensively. But it was Connor O’Toole who kept the game close stopping 59 of 67 shots faced.

With the loss, Brampton (7-12) is clinging to the final playoff spot, one game ahead of Six Nations (6-11). The Arrows final three games are in Mimico Saturday, at home against Toronto Sunday, and in Kitchener-Waterloo July 11. Brampton will close out the regular season hosting the Mountaineers on Sunday.