BRUSING BATTLE AT BUNNY BARN
by thistles forever - Game #16
ORANGEVILLE - The Northmen faced the punishing Toronto Beaches Friday night and prevailed for a hard fought 8-6 victory. It was a tough defensive battle, with limited scoring opportunities but numerous hard hits. How tight a checking game was it? It took 25 minutes for the first fast break in the game. There were only three the entire contest and each ended in grief. Scoring and shots on goal were also at a minimum. Both clubs scored once in the opening period. Matt Marchildon marked his return by coming around from behind the net to beat John McLellan. That was Orangeville's second shot in 5 minutes. A minute later Garret Kikot connected from way out. That was Toronto's third shot, all from a long way out. It took them over 8 minutes to create a close in chance. The HornHeads had the only power play in the period but failed to get a shot on goal. Good ragging by Kyle Wailes killed much of the penalty. Shots on goal in the first: Orangeville 11 Toronto 10.
There was a 20 minute drought between goals. Brad MacDonald ended it by recovering his own rebound then setting up Chad Culp for the score. The key moment of the night, which gave Orangeville control of the game, came towards the middle of the period. The Northmen enjoyed a two man advantage, thanks to a stupid second penalty committed by Cory Graziano. Shorthanded Kikot sent Holman in alone but he muffed the pass. The home team came back up floor and Peter Veltman made it 3-1. Just after the penalties were over Marchildon scored. Beaches battled back the last 5 minutes of the period. Nick Reed scored on an outside bouncer. Then Adam Robertson set up Holman with 2 seconds left in the period. Shots on goal: Orangeville 13 Toronto 11.
Having seen the Northmen's self destruction to Peterborough last week, it was fascinating to see them flirt with disaster again this time. The late Beaches goal seemed to set the stage for a Toronto comeback, however Orangeville reestablished command of the match early in the third period. Another Graziano penalty led to a Marchildon goal. Then a neat Chad Culp flanking move made it 6-3. By the 10 minute mark Kris Bryan scored shorthanded for a 7-3 advantage. Matt Holman did not look good the entire night and he was to blame for the Bryan goal. His lazy effort on a loose ball gave Bryan possession. After some ragging Orangeville's #2 had scored.
These days such a commanding lead can only mean that the Black and Silver will look for a way to blow it. Andrew Chapman scored with 8 minutes left. A minute later it was Michael Dominelli. A minute after that Kyle Wailes made it 7-6. Yet the roof didn't fall in. Four nervous minutes concluded with Culp scoring an identical goal to his last one. Then a very good game was spoiled miserably.
Referees Trinaistich and McPherson called an excellent game. They let as much go as possible and that allowed the contest to flow nicely. But there was no flow after the Northmen's eight goal. Two fights followed. No problem. The horrible delay after the fights was unending. Personally I don't get it. This may sound simplistic but why not simply throw the four fighters out, give another pair double minors for roughing and the goalie a minor and misconduct? That was the end result. Why all this couldn't be achieved in a couple of minutes is beyond me. The wait was more like fifteen minutes, in which the officials seemed to talk to everyone, including the Northmen trainer! Give the penalties to the scorekeeper, tell the captains and get on with the game.
Of course it never rains, it pours! After more than fifteen minutes Toronto called an equipment measurement on Scott Patterson. Of course his equipment was illegal, every goalie wears illegal equipment! But the fans had to sit on their hands another five minutes because the Jr.A Council will not settle this issue. Make all goalie equipment uniform, or enlarge the nets and let them wear whatever they like. For goodness sake just make a decision!
Now with illegal equipment Patterson had to make adjustments on the bench, while Orangeville warmed up John Conway. Yet another delay! To add insult to injury, the Northmen sent Patterson back in before play had restarted - something I thought was illegal. Yes the game eventually resumed. After a 23 minute delay, the final 2 minutes were played.
Both teams had only three runners on floor to finish. As the final score indicates, nothing momentous happened. One oddity was Toronto coaching. Down two goals they had two possessions where they could have pulled their goalie for a 4 on 3 advantage. They chose not to. Then with 18 seconds left, they suddenly called a timeout then pulled the goalie for their final possession. Rather curious. Period shots: 11 each. Game total: Orangeville 35 Toronto 32.
A great win for the slumping Northmen. They were without Brodie Merrill(out 4 to 5 games with an injured wrist) and Darren Halls was also missing. Halls was a big loss as his toughness would have been invaluable. Also Patrick Magee didn't lose a draw the first two periods - total Toronto dominance. Luckily Marchildon and Veltman were back and they both had terrific games. These were the HornHeads we remember from the past: winning when they aren't expected to. Nevertheless they get only one day to rest their bruises before facing a fired up Brampton squad Sunday night. After such a punishing game it doesn't get any easier for the Northmen.
If you like defensive lacrosse than Toronto Beaches are your team. I don't know what happened in Mississauga last Friday, however you won't see double figures scored in too many more Beach Boys games this year. Their defence is big and their goaltending solid. They aren't as polished as St.Catharines but they are heading in that direction. Really, a great defence and an effective power play could be enough to win a championship in the 21st century. Not sure about Toronto's power play as they had only one last night - compared to Orangeville's five. That is to be expected given the physical aspect of the Beaches game. Last night Ryan Cousins was out of the lineup which handicapped Toronto's limited offence. The end result was a tough loss they could easily have won.
One final warning. The Northmen need to address a problem at the far end of the arena. For the second game in a row the young punks who sit by the visitors entrance to the floor made their presence felt. They only sit there to heckle the opposition and try to cause trouble. Well there will eventually be big trouble - like in the playoffs against St.Catharines two years ago.
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