KITCHENER-WATERLOO STOP HOT BRAMPTON OFFENSE

Coming into Wednesday’s road game in Kitchener-Waterloo, the Brampton Excelsiors were 1-1 playing on the second night of a back-to-back. They faced a KW team that won two of their three games this season at Kinsmen Arena. Zach Richards made his debut for Kitchener, who put 73 shots of their own on former teammate Marcus Madill, eventually winning at home for the third time 10-8.

First overall pick Noah Candy bookended the opening period with a pair of goals, the latter coming on the power play. In the middle teammate Max Frattaroli and arguably Brampton’s hottest scorer Nolan Byrne traded goals. Kitchener-Waterloo led 3-1 after one.

Frattaroli and Candy struck again in the opening minute of the second period. Completing his hat trick Frattaroli ended a short two-goal Brampton run, scoring 25 seconds after OJLL player of the week Jacob Janke. A power play goal from Nolan Marshall was the first of two for him, but those were both answered by Chris Rathwell, including a late power play marker that put KW in the lead 8-5 heading into the final frame.

After Nolan Byrne opened the scoring four minutes into the third, both Rathwell and Marshall traded goals. Janke’s second of the game with 3:28 to play pulled Brampton within one, but an empty netter from 2023 first overall pick Clark Dunford iced the 10-8 win for Kitchener-Waterloo.

Chris Rathwell’s seven points (3+4) are his most this season, and matches a career high. Max Frattaroli (3+2) and Noah Candy (3+0) also scored hat tricks. Zach Richards stopped 32 of 40 Brampton shots for his first win in Kitchner-Waterloo.

Nolan Marshall (3+2) scored his first career OJLL hat trick. Five points is also his career high. Nolan Byrne (2+3) also finished with five points. Marcus Madill made 63 saves in a losing effort against his former team. He started on back-to-back nights for the first time in his career.