Ironheads Win Last Minute Thriller in Oakville
Cole Moskovicz
The West Durham Ironheads were coming off their first consecutive losses of the season, against the Nepean Knights and Mississauga Tomahawks. Things didn’t get any easier for the I-Heads on Saturday night. They were on the road against the Oakville Buzz who beat them 12-5 two weeks ago.
The Ironheads jumped out to a 4-2 lead 11 minutes into the first frame with Bryce Keats, Mike Berger, Cyle Ropson, and Jack Boyden netting a goal. However, West Durham surrendered four straight goals to end the period, three of them shorthanded.
The second period was all Ironheads. The defence communicated well and kept the Buzz shooters outside the circle. Transition man James Christoforatos buried his third of the season. Jakson Raposo netted a pair and Boyden got his second of the game. Oakville would break Goalie Tyler Newman’s perfect period scoring with just over a minute left, giving the I-Heads the 8-7 edge at the second intermission.
The Ironheads continued their dominant defensive play into the third period. Berger and Raposo both scored again, putting the I-Heads ahead 10-7 with ten minutes remaining. The Buzz would start to break out later in the frame getting three transition goals in four minute tying the game at 10-10. With 35 seconds remaining the I-Heads got the ball to their hottest shooter, Jakson Raposo, who sniped it low and to the right giving West Durham the 11-10 victory.
Raposo, the rookie, scored four on the night, and took the team lead in goals with 14 on the season. Ropson also filled up the score sheet notching seven assists and a goal. Newman was outstanding with 42 saves, particularly in the second and third period where he had a 30 minute span where he only surrendered one goal. Newman also got more help in front of the net than during the Mississauga and Nepean losses, in which the I-Heads lost some key defenders for fighting and game misconducts.
That was a vital two points for the Ironheads, with difficult back to back games coming up this week. Wednesday at home at the Pickering Recreation Centre against the Halton Hills Bulldogs, and Thursday on the road in Clarington versus their out of division rival the Green Gaels.
