BUSY NIGHT IN THE OJLL: TOP TEAMS ALL PICK UP VICTORIES
Kitchener-Waterloo’s Nolan Barker (11) shoots against Whitby goaltender Cooper Wilson on Wednesday night. The matchup was one of four in the OJLL’s busiest night this season. (PHOTO: OJLL // K Jamieson)
Eight of the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League’s 11 teams were in action on a packed Wednesday night. Of those, four of the top five – Six Nations Arrows, Whitby Warriors, Orangeville Northmen and St Catharines Athletics – picked up wins to keep their status atop the OJLL standings.
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At the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville, the Six Nations Arrows picked up their fourth straight win, and sixth overall, handing the Buzz their first home loss of the season 10-8. Oakville led 3-1 early, but a shorthanded goal from Treyson Sunday led to an Arrows run that tied the first 5-5. Gatorade player of the week Daylin John-Hill, Hodo Martin and McCay Jimerson combined for a 3-1 second for a lead Six Nations would never relinquish.
Jimerson ended the night with his first OJLL hat trick (3/2). Martin also had five points (2/3). Ethan Robertson was solid stopping 39 of 47 Oakville shots.
Jameson Steele (3/3) and Charlie Boon (4 goals) did most of the scoring for Oakville. Rookie John Logue added five assists. Zach Constantopoulos faced 54 shots, the fourth time this season (of five starts) he’s seen 50 or more.
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Also in Halton, at Central Arena, the Orangeville Northmen led 7-1 over the Burlington Blaze after the first and never looked back winning 11-3. It is the largest margin of victory in the OJLL this season.
Liam Matthews led all runners with eight points (5/3). He had a hat trick and four points in the first period alone. Back-to-back Gatorade Rookie of the Week winner Max Kruger tallied another hat trick (3/3) his fourth of the season. Owen Rahn also had six points (2/4).
Chuck Rawson scored two of the three Burlington goals, assisting on the other (2/1).
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Down the QEW, the St Catharines Athletics led 8-6 over the Mimico Mountaineers heading into the third. Tye Steenhuis and Zackary Toll pushed the lead to 10-6 midway through the final period. But Mimico’s defence held the home side at bay whilst Justin Tavares, Colin Burns and Jacob Keller compiled a three-goal Mountaineers run. In the end, it would fall short with Jameson Bucktooth’s thirteenth goal of the season proving the game winner, eventually 11-10 Athletics.
Both Bucktooth (3/2) and Steenhuis (3/1) had hat tricks for St Catharines. Toll added five points (1/4) while Jake Wright had four assists. Ty Wilson stopped 37 of 47 shots faced.
Justin Tavares led Mimico with seven points (4/3) along with rookie Zach Abu-Ali (2/5), the latter’s best career offensive game.
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Finally, the only remaining unbeaten team in the OJLL – Whitby Warriors – kept their perfect record intact with a 10-6 win in Kitchener-Waterloo. Eight different Warriors combined for points in a 4-1 first period, a lead Whitby would never relinquish.
Lucas Littlejohn (2/1), Julien Belair (2/1), Max Weatherup (2/0) and Owen Tapper (2/0) all scored multiple goals. Rookie goaltender Cooper Wilson needed 38 saves to pick up his second career win.
Six different players scored single goals for KW. Cal Brennan led the team with three assists. Max Frattaroli (1/1) and Nolan Barker (0/2) were the only other multi-point getters. Zack Richards allowed 10 goals from 44 shots.
