Finn Thomson Has Big Night In Mimico Mountaineers Home Opener Win

Photo: Max Lewis / OJLL

A night after the Toronto Beaches and Six Nations Arrows secured their second wins of the season, both the St Catharines Athletics and Mimico Mountaineers had a chance to do the same Saturday at Mimico Arena in Etobicoke. Just 24 hours following their season debut, the Mountaineers sent their fans home happy with a narrow 14-13 win.

However, the visitors initially had those fans seeing blue when Gavin Howard scored in the opening minute. It led a four-goal run capped by short-handed markers from Julian Race and Keaton Zavtiz on the same penalty kill. The run also triggered an early goalie switch for Mimico. Special teams would also play a big part later in the period when Justin Lee and Noah Snyder traded power play goals. Snyder would score again to end the period, but not before Finn Thomson and Lucas Dudemaine got on the board. The visitors led by three at the break.

Early in the second, it was the power play and Dudemaine again. But another three-goal burst from the A’s, including back to back markers from Ari Steenhuis, extended the lead to 9-4. That’s when the twice-reigning scoring champion Finn Thomson took over. The Mimico veteran exploded with a natural hat trick in a 3:28 span. Goals from teammates Isaiah Moran-Weekes and Alex Roussel soon followed tying the game. With just over three minutes to play, Snyder completed his hat trick, giving St Catharines a 10-9 lead they’d carry into the third.

Mimico needed goals from Henry Caponiti and Lucas Dudemaine to tie the game twice in the third. And then it was Thomson again giving Mimico its first lead with just over seven minutes to play. When Nate Watson tied the game again, it was Thomson once more who would give the Mountaineers a power play marker and lead they would not relinquish. Mark Watters provided an insurance marker that was answered late by Keaton Zavitz in the tight 14-13 Mimico win.

Finn Thomson is well on his way to the top of the OJLL stats board once again. His 11 point night (6+5) matches that of Willem Firth one day prior. Thomson now trails the Toronto Beaches superstar and 2022 MVP by two points after two games (19 to 17). Lucas Dudemaine is only two points behind their battle thanks to his nine point evening (3+6). Goaltender Adam Power took over for starter Nate Whittom – who won against Kitchener-Waterloo on Friday. Power stopped 44 of 53 shots for his first OJLL win.

St Catharines were led by Keaton Zavitz’ six points (3+3). Christian Lefeuvre finished with five points (1+4), and Tye Steenhuis had four (1+3).