Behind a great game by Matthew Whittaker, who had two goals and one assist, the North York Rangers defeated the Oakville Blades, 4-1.
Whittaker scored on the power play at 15:22 into the first period to make the score 1-0 North York and again while on the power play 16:57 into the third to make the score 4-1 North York.
Oakville’s power play was ineffective against North York’s penalty kill, which allowed zero goals while shorthanded.
The Rangers’ penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on six Oakville power plays.
North York also got points from Ted Hunt, who also had one goal and two assists. Ryan Takamatsu also scored for North York. More assists for North York came via Gabriel Valenzuela, who had three and Zachary Fung and Will Reilly, who contributed one each.
The Blades’ offense operated below their season average. Oakville puts an average of 3.9 pucks into the net per game. The Blades’ penalty kill unit could not stop North York’s power play, which converted on three of five opportunities.
Oakville was led by Vince Palermo, who scored the team’s only goal. Palermo scored 15:35 into the third period to make the score 3-1 North York. Matthew McLeod assisted on the tally.
The Rangers’ Gianluca Baggetta stopped 23 shots out of the 24 that he faced. North York incurred 16 minutes in penalty time with eight minors. The Blades’ starting goalie, Daniel Mannella, made 12 saves and finished with the loss before he was taken out in favor of Brendan McGlynn, who stopped 14 shots. Oakville incurred 12 minutes in penalty time with six minors.
