FAST START LEADS ORANGEVILLE TO HOME WIN OVER WHITBY

When facing the Orangeville Northmen at Tony Rose Arena, like the Whitby Warriors did on Sunday, a big second period can be expected from the home side. Not only did the Hornheads have that historic run, but they were already up after the first. Despite only nine shots in the third period the lead was big enough to hang on for an 11-7 win, Orangeville’s seventh of the season.

Whitby did lead early on thanks to Luke Robinson’s first goal in five games. Then, the Northmen rookies went to work. Guerin Jennings on the power play, Dylan Sanderson for a second time and Sean Costigan’s first OJLL goal all were scored within 1:29 and put Orangeville up 4-1 after the first.

The homeside run continued into the second. Five minutes in Liam Matthews scored on the power play. That was followed by goals from Cole Teeple, Trey Deere, Matthews again on the man advantage and Joey Spallina. Orangeville scored nine straight goals spanning two periods to lead 9-1. Jake Darlison and, in the final minute, Lucas Littlejohn scored to make it a more respectable 9-3 deficit heading into the final frame.

Whitby held Orangeville to just nine shots in the third, but still allowed two goals, one late to Spallina. In the meantime, Ben Kromer opened the period with his first OJLL goal. Owen Lee answered Deere’s goal within 41 seconds, then Littlejohn and Ryan Langille completed Whitby’s offensive output. The Warriors four-game win streak comes to an end with Orangeville’s 11-7 victory, improving to 5-2 at home.

Joey Spallina had another monster game with eight points (2+6). Liam Matthews (2+3), Dylan Sanderson (2+2) and Trey Deere (2+2) all also scored twice. Lindyn Hill stopped 42 shots for his fourth (of seven) wins making 40 or more saves.

Lucas Littlejohn (2+1) was the lone multi-goal scorer for Whitby. Jake Darlison (1+2) and Gabriel Sorichetti (0+2) were the only other Warriors with multiple points.