Orangeville Northmen Remain Undefeated After Win In Burlington
The Burlington Blaze’s home rink, Central Arena, may be nicknamed ‘The Oven’, but there is nothing hotter in the OJLL than Wednesday’s visiting team. The Orangeville Northmen got goals from nine different players, and another standout performance from goaltender Chris Origlieri to become just the tenth Junior A team ever to start a season 10-0, defeating the Blaze 12-7.
A bench minor early in the first gave the Northmen they start they needed when Liam Matthews scored 12 seconds into the power play. Alex Marinier returned the favour after Ty English tied the game. Marinier’s twenty-first of the season came just 6 seconds into Burlington’s first man advantage. Then came the patented Northmen run – three goals, from three different players in 2:03, including Liam Stadnyk’s first of the year. They’d do it again to end the period, with Amos Whitcomb and Jaden Ciappara scoring 11 seconds apart to lead 6-3 after the first.
Even Origlieri himself had to get in on the offense, finding Nate Ruff in transition who scored early in the second period. Just as Hayden Hiltz scored his first OJLL goal in the first period, Teharonhiorens McComber followed up Reed Allen’s goal with the first of his career getting a pair back for Burlington. Josh Rosa would also answer Koleton Marquis sixteenth of the season. But the period ended much like the first did with a goal from Jameson Bucktooth and a shorthanded buzzer-beater from Colm Barnett. Orangeville continued to lead 10-6 after two.
As things began to heat up between the two teams, Orangeville killed off a slashing penalty, went on the power play within a minute, and scored 16 seconds later. Burlington played the end of the game man-up due to a major penalty, but it only led to McComber’s second goal in the final minute. The Orangeville Northmen remain undefeated winning against Burlington 12-7.
The Northmen played without their leading points getter Joey Spallina, meaning others like Jameson Bucktooth (2 goals, 4 assists) and Koleton Marquis (2 goals, 3 assists) needed to step up. Liam Matthews was his usual self adding three points (2 goals, 1 assist). Chris Origlieri stopped 46 of 52 shots and has now surrendered 6 goals or less in 8 of 10 games (once he allowed 7).
Alex Marinier and Reed Allen (1 goal, 2 assists) led Burlington’s points totals, although Teharonhiorens McComber finished with a pair of goals. Cal Leaver-Preyra played the final four minutes of the game, making his Burlington debut in relief of Cole Gervais who stopped 38 of 50 shots.
Burlington will enjoy a day off before travelling to Kitchener-Waterloo (1-8) on Friday, which is the same night Orangeville will once again chase history, this time against the Whitby Warriors (6-5).
