FULL SCHEDULE FRIDAY SEES 10 OF 11 TEAMS IN ACTION

Friday night the only OJLL team able to sit back and watch the action was the St Catharines Athletics. Each of the remaining ten teams were in action in five games on the schedule – the OJLL’s busiest night of the season – one night before the trade deadline.

First, in Mimico, the Mountaineers hosted the Six Nations Arrows. The visitors looked like they were sitting pretty after a 6-2 second period in which McCay Jimerson tallied four points. The Arrows scored four straight to end the frame leading 7-5. However, five straight Mountaineers goals in the third, including four in 5:14, led to a 6-2 period of their own, and an 11-9 win.

Mimico’s Finn Thomson had another big night with seven points (1+6) and Lucas Dudemaine scored four times. Jimerson led Six Nations with seven points (2+5) while newcomer Noah Snyder scored a hat trick (3+2). Sparks flew at the end of the game with 40 penalty minutes and four game misconducts handed out at the horn.

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Meanwhile, the Orangeville Northmen had their hands full with Kitchener-Waterloo. Holding a 4-2 lead after the first period, the teams matched each other 5-5 in the second. It was the third where Orangeville took over winning the period 5-1, and the game 14-8. Three of those third period goals were on the power play for a total of six man-up markers in the game.

Joey Spallina led the Northmen in points with nine (3+6), but Liam Matthews led them in goals (5+2). For KW, Cal Brennan (2+0) and Nolan Barker (2+1) were the only multi-goal scorers. They were led by Max Frattaroli (1+3).

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Former Oakville Buzz teammates Eric McDonald and Will Sheehan (now with Toronto) and Jack MacAlpine (Whitby) and their new teammates faced off at Iroquois Park in Whitby. The Warriors actually led for the majority of the game before an early third period power play goal kicked off a 4-1 final frame that also featured four penalty kills in the Beaches 9-7 win.

Willem Firth scored a hat trick, but it was Matt Collison (2+3) and Hamish McPherson (1+4) who led Toronto. Will Sheehan scored the game winner in his Toronto debut. All seven of Whitby’s goals came from different players. Jack MacAlpine was not one of them, though he did register an assist.

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Despite leading 2-0 at home near the midway mark of the first, the Brampton Excelsiors played catch-up against the Burlington Blaze most of the night and eventually ran out of time, losing 11-10. Burlington scored the final four goals of the first period, including an Alex Marinier natural hat trick in 1:22. The teams traded goals through the second, but another two goal swing in the third between Marinier and Sawyer English provided all the offence Burlington would need.

Alex Marinier finished with those four goals (4+1). Burlington was led offensively by Will MacLeod (2+4). Also with four goals was Brampton’s Nolan Byrne (4+2). Both goaltenders – who entered the game first and second in minutes played – were exceptional. Burlington’s Cal Leaver-Preyra stopped 42 of 52 shots, and Brampton’s Connor O’Toole made 47 saves from 58 shots.

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A day after trading a number of their senior players, the Oakville Buzz travelled to Peterborough. Scoring the first two goals, and never trailing the Lakers defended home floor 8-6. Following Nick DiLauro and Sam Trumble’s first period goals Oakville was able to match Peterborough, but not pass them due in part to goaltender Gavin Williamson. Making just his fourth career OJLL start, he made 36 stops off 42 shots for his second win. Buffalo Bandits draft pick Evan Constantopoulos stopped 46 of 54 in a losing effort.

Peterborough’s Daniel Clark’s hot streak continued with five points (1+4). Also with four assists was rookie Matthew Drimmie. For Oakville, Riley Ford (3+1) and Jameson Steele (2+2) had four points.