MIMICO AND ORANGEVILLE COMBINE TO GIVE BRAMPTON A WINLESS WEEKEND

Orangeville Northmen forward Max Kruger celebrates one of four goals against Brampton, who lost twice over the weekend. (PHOTO: OJLL / R McCullough)

Opening the weekend with a winless record the Brampton Excelsiors played back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday. Both the Mimico Mountaineers at home and the Orangeville Northmen at Brampton’s Memorial Arena picked up wins – 10-7 and 11-8 respectively.

Both the Excelsiors and Mountaineers survived a wild 12 goal first period in Mimico on Saturday night. Trailing 2-1, Brampton ran off four goals, including converting one of three straight power plays. The first period ended with Mimico scoring three more times, twice in 26 seconds, to lead 7-5 after one.

From there on, Mimico starting goalie Nate Whittom and the Mountaineers defence held Brampton scoreless while scoring five of their own to win their season debut 10-7.

Jacob Keller led Mimico’s offence with his first OJLL hat trick. Luke Reiter (2/2), Zach Abu-Ali (2/2) and Wesley Geekie (2/1) also scored multiple goals.

Nate Renaud (2/2) led Brampton’s offence. Jacob Janke (2/1) was the only other multi-goal scorer.

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The Excelsiors returned home Sunday night to face the 2024 Ontario Champions Orangeville Northmen. Three different players scored in the first, including Marcelo Carreiro on an outside shot with time expiring to give Brampton a 3-1 lead after one.

But in the second it was the Northmen erupting for six goals – three from Cohen Jennings and a pair from Max Kruger on the power play. Despite Caiden Merritt scoring twice, the Northmen took a 7-6 lead into the final period.

In the opening minute of the third Dylan Sanderson scored his first of two straight to complete a hat trick. Kruger would add two more to his monster night before the end leading to an 11-8 Orangeville victory.

Max Kruger ended the night with four goals (4/1). Dylan Sanderson (3/4) and Cohen Jennings (3/1) also had hat tricks. Garrett Thomson made 41 saves securing his second career OJLL win, and first since May 31, 2024.

Marcelo Carriero led the Excelsiors with five points (3/2). Jacob Janke (1/4) also had five, while Caiden Merritt (3/1) also scored a hat trick. Montreal born Anthony Cedilotte took the loss despite making 45 saves in Brampton’s net.