ORANGEVILLE TOO STRONG FOR BURLINGTON

ORANGEVILLE TOO STRONG FOR BURLINGTON

by thistles forever - Game #31

BURLINGTON - The Northmen began their championship quest Wednesday night and looked awfully good. The Chiefs posed some questions for Orangeville and slowly but surely the Black Shirts answered those questions. Two hours later, Burlington had run out of questions to ask.

The home side leapt out of the gate first. Two goals, the second a beauty as Duncan Ross beat two defenders to score. For a couple of shifts the Northmen looked flustered. It passed. The last half of the period was dominated by the Horned Heads defence. They battled back to tie the contest 2-2. Brandon Miller released Jon Harasym on a breakaway to score the second. Shots on goal: Orangeville 15 Burlington 9.

More offence in the middle frame. Both clubs dueled evenly to 3-3 and 4-4. Brodie Merrill scored shorthanded after the Chiefs lost possession because Ross mishandled a loose ball. Burlington's power play answered back thanks to a Travis Zorilla blast from the point. The tide turned when Orangeville went ahead 5-4. A nice bounce shot by Brad MacDonald through Ryan Young's legs. The home team kept fighting but their desperate efforts to equalise went for naught. Before the period ended the Black Shirts took complete control as Matt Marchildon beat Young with another bouncer. Shots on goal: Orangeville 18 Burlington 13.

The Chiefs had one more surge left in them. Colin Rea squeezed one between Miller and the post 2 minutes into the third period. Seconds later Stu Gordon made it 7-5. At 8-5 the victory was looking safe when the Northmen decided to take a pair of panalties to make it interesting. Jamie Taylor drew one during a drive towards the goal. The second came when Kevin Howard foolishly kicked away his helmet. Duncan Ross punished them on the power play. 8-6 with 10 minutes remaining. Jon Harasym scored with a excellent shot 87 seconds later, quickly killing any Burlington momentum. The Chiefs did not give up. Coach Sawicki pulled his goaltender on every possession over the final 6 minutes. The Black Shirts defence held like the Walls of Troy. Shots on goal: Orangeville 17 Burlington 12.

Three Stars:
1) BRODIE MERRILL - terrific game from the big guy at both ends of the floor.
2) JON HARASYM - a really smooth looking hattrick for orangeville's one big time threat.
3) DUNCAN ROSS - the one Chief shooter who rose to the occasion.
HONOURABLE MENTION to: Brandon Miller, Graham Sutherland and Ryan Young.

Also to referees Grant Spies and Wayne McDonald. Only one cheap first period call again Orangeville in a near flawless performance.