Matt Collison Returns To Toronto Helping Keep Beaches Perfect

Photo: Craig Robertson / ojll

The Toronto Beaches rolled into Peterborough on Monday night with a 2-0 record and Matt Collison. The righty who finished second on the team in points and goals in 2023 had four points in the first half of the first period leading Toronto to a blistering start and eventual 15-7 victory.

Already up 2-0 with goals six seconds apart, Collison walked into the offensive zone, faked a shot freezing his defender and carried the ball to the net where he scored over Cole Gervais left shoulder. In the first 11 minutes six different Beaches players would score eight straight goals to lead 8-1 after the first.

Coming out for the second the Lakers looked like a more inspired team behind Gavin Williamson who took over midway through the first. However, each of their goals – from Alexander Hicks, Colby Wood and Matthew Drimmie – were answered by Toronto. Greg Palmer himself had three in the period stretching the lead to 12-4.

Drimmie and Wood would score again in the third, as would Riley Simpson in transition. But, again, each goal was answered by the Beaches who ended up winning 15-7 to move to 3-0 on the season and into a tie atop the OJLL standings with the Six Nations Arrows.

Greg Palmer had a career night scoring his first OJLL sock-trick and adding two assists for eight points. In his first game of the season, Matt Collison also had eight points (3+5). Mere hours after being named Gatorade player of the week Matt Firth scored just once but contributed six assists for seven points. Thomas Kiazyk stopped 37 of 44 shots in the win.

In relief, Gavin Williamson also allowed just seven goals. Peterborough’s offense was led by rookies Colby Wood (2+1) and Matthew Drimmie (2 goals). Veteran Michael Blaymires added three assists.