ORANGEVILLE OFFENCE TOO MUCH FOR OAKVILLE, NORTHMEN IN TIE FOR SECOND
The Orangeville Northmen are nearing the end of their home stretch playing seven-in-eight at Tony Rose Arena. On Friday night, they were looking to improve on the 4-2 record over that stretch, hosting the Oakville Buzz. Thanks to the three-headed monster of Liam Matthews, Joey Spallina and Trey Deere, and the best game of the season from goaltender Lindyn Hill, the Northmen won 13-6 to move into a four-way tie for second place (6-3).
Oakville actually held a lead after the first period. Following Joey Spallina’s opening goal, Will Sheehan scored twice in the period, the second shorthanded. Jack Dawick, who assisted on Sheehan’s second, followed it close to 1:30 later in transition to lead 3-2.
Historically the second period at the Bunny Barn is dangerous for opposing teams. After Sheehan completed his hat trick and stretched the lead to 4-2, history repeated itself in a big way. Dylan Sanderson and Liam Matthews separated goals by 23 seconds. Later in the period, Guerin Jennings and Matthews went back-to-back in just over a minute. Trey Deere added a goal of his own before Spallina completed his hat trick, and added a fourth goal – all told a seven goal run to close out the period with Orangeville leading 9-4.
Xander Derkatz opened a penalty-filled third period pulling Oakville within five. But the Northmen scored four of the next five goals, including the final two on the power play, to win 13-6. The end of the third included Orangeville playing the final 3:30 five-on-three and not surrendering a goal.
Lindyn Hill stopped 41 of Oakville’s 47 shots, winning his fourth straight start and fifth out of six overall. Liam Matthews (3+6), Joey Spallina (3+4) and Trey Deere (3+4) combined to score nine of Orangeville’s 13 goals (and 23 points).
Evan Constantopoulos also stopped 41 shots (of 54) in a losing effort. Oakville’s lone multiple goal scorer was Will Sheehan (3+1). His 25 goals (in nine games) is good enough for a tie for third in the OJLL.
