GOALS-A-PLENTY IN SHOOTOUT BETWEEN WHITBY WARRIORS AND SIX NATIONS ARROWS
Whitby’s slow start to the season is all but a distant memory. Yes, the Warriors lost their previous matchup but it came after a four-game win streak that has them back in contention in the standings. Returning home Tuesday night they faced the struggling Six Nations Arrows who had won just once in their last nine. Credit to Six Nations for keeping the game close throughout the night, but in the end, Whitby defended home floor with a 12-11 win, moving into a three-way tie for second.
From the 30 second mark when Blayze Becker opened the scoring, to just before the midway point of the first period, the teams combined for seven goals (4-3 Six Nations). Whitby rookie Blake Mason tied the game six minutes later, but the lead was immediately given back to the Arrows by Noah Snyder, a goal that would chase rookie starting goalie Garrett Thomson from just his second career OJLL start. Jack Oldman and Gabriel Sorichetti capped a wild, 11-goal period 6-5 for Whitby.
The second period looked like it would be the same as the first with two early goals from the Warriors’ Jake Tapper and Michael White. Snyder and Matthew Hamill matched those, but Riley Knox and Luke Robinson would restore the now three-goal lead, in the process spelling the end of the night for starter Ethan Robertson – the second time in three games. Becker closed out the period but Whitby still led 10-8 heading into the final frame.
That lead would evaporate just over five minutes into the third thanks to goals from Daylin John-Hill and Thunder Hill. A pair of late penalties would undo the Arrows though. Ryan Langille scored on the power play with 4:23 to play. With another Arrows player in the box, McCay Jimerson re-tied the game shorthanded, but, in the final minute, it was Lucas Littlejohn who would provide the game winner on the man advantage to win 12-11.
Though no Whitby player scored more than two goals, Gabriel Sorichetti led the Warriors with seven points (1+6). Lucas Littlejohn (2+4) was right behind. Ryan Langille (2+3) and Jack Oldman (2+1) were the other multi-goal scorers. In relief, Ethan Harwood allowed just six goals on 32 shots for his sixth win of the season, but first as a backup.
Thunder Hill led Six Nations with five points (1+4) and has only been held goalless once this season. McCay Jimerson (2+1), Noah Snyder (2+1), Blayze Becker (2+0) and Daylin John-Hill (2+0) all scored twice. In 27 minutes of relief Sakaronhiotane Thompson allowed just two goals on 23 shots.
