Orangeville Northmen Even OJLL Final With Strong Third

Central Arena in Burlington was packed, loud and hot (even for ‘The Oven’) on Friday night for game two of the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League final series between the Burlington Blaze and Orangeville Northmen. The game was back-and-forth all night long, until the third period when Orangeville, down 1-0 coming into the evening, scored five goals and was backed by another stellar goaltending performance from Chris Origlieri to win 10-6.

Tied 5-5 after two periods, Chuck Rawson cut to the net and scored giving Burlington the lead 21 seconds into the third. Off the ensuing faceoff, Jameson Bucktooth’s attempt to beat the shot clock from outside the restraining line fooled Deacan Knott. Trey Deere gave the Northmen back the lead before a power play ended with Liam Matthews completing his hat trick shooting to the left of Knott, who was following the Orangeville forward right across the crease.

Burlington began pulling Knott with every possession and pressing. With less than five minutes remaining, they worked the ball to the crease for a quick-stick on Origlieri’s left side. The San Diego netminder went right to left just getting his glove in the way to preserve the two-goal lead. In the dying minutes Nate Ruff added a pair of empty net breakaway goals to win game two 10-6, evening the series 1-1.

Matthews scored back-to-back goals in the second period to give Orangeville a two-goal lead. It was his first hat trick since game one of the opening round against Six Nations. He led all runners with five points (3 goals, 2 assists). Trey Deere (2 goals, 2 assists) and Jameson Bucktooth (1 goal, 3 assists) had four points. With a goal in the first period Amos Whitcomb (1 goal, 2 assists) scored his first since June 27 missing over a month due to injury.

The top goaltender in the OJLL, Chris Origlieri, made 61 saves off 67 shots for the win. It’s the third straight game he’s faced 60 or more shots, and the only three times all season.

In the other net, Deacan Knott allowed eight goals off 39 shots.

Four players scored goals for Burlington; Chuck Rawson and Alex Marinier (2 each), Ty English (1 goal, 2 assists) and Braedon Saris (1 goal, 1 assist).

Prior to the game Burlington’s coaching staff led by Dan MacRae were awarded the Jim Bishop Memorial Award presented annually to the coaching staff of the year.

The OJLL Final returns to Tony Rose Arena in Orangeville Sunday night at 8pm.