The Toronto Jr. Canadiens Junior Canadiens pulled out a 4-3 (OT) overtime victory over the North York Rangers on a clutch goal by Ryan MacSpadyen.
The win gave Toronto Jr. Canadiens a 1-0 lead in the best of seven series.
Although the Junior Canadiens was up by as many as two goals in the third period, North York kept the game interesting by staging a comeback that ultimately fell short. The Rangers pulled to within 2-1 on a goal by Matthew Whittaker at 1:01 in the third period.
Aaron Spivak was all over the ice for Toronto Jr. Canadiens, as he tallied two goals and one assist in the win. Spivak scored the first of his two goals at 18:45 into the second period to make the score 1-0 Toronto Jr. Canadiens. MacSpadyen assisted on the tally. Spivak’s next tally made the score 3-3 with 1:49 left in the third period. The Junior Canadiens had gotten the advantage when North York’s Nick Zanette was sent off for cross checking. Andrew Mullen provided the assist.
Toronto Jr. Canadiens excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in five chances. The Junior Canadiens kept the Rangers’ goalie busy throughout the game, and Gianluca Baggetta made 39 saves on 43 shots.
Toronto Jr. Canadiens also got points from MacSpadyen, who also grabbed one goal and one assist. Toronto Jr. Canadiens also got a goal from Anthony Repaci as well. In addition, Toronto Jr. Canadiens received assists from Nicholas Jarzabek, who had one and Justin Maiolino and Michael Cuddemi, who contributed two each.
North York forced Toronto Jr. Canadiens goalie Nathan Colitto to work between the pipes, taking 40 shots.
Others who scored for North York included Gabriel Valenzuela and Luke Kutkevicius, who each put in one. Other players who recorded assists for North York were Zachary Fung, Anthony Paveglio, Michael Morgan, and Ryan Takamatsu, who each chipped in one.
The Junior Canadiens’ Colitto stopped 37 shots out of the 40 that he faced. Toronto Jr. Canadiens incurred 24 minutes in penalty time with seven minors. The Rangers incurred 26 minutes in penalty time with eight minors.
