NEWS

It appears as though the Toronto Patriots are hitting the full stride at just the right time.

Nick Ursitti’s two goals, including the game winner, helped the Pats edge the Panthers in Pickering on Friday; while a near relentless barrage, from up and down the roster, lifted Toronto to a resounding 8-2 dismantling of the Milton Icehawks Saturday.

The weekend’s victories extended the Pats’ win-streak to four, and stretched their lead in the South Division to three points with four games remaining in the regular season.

Friday evening’s contest in Pickering also ended a mini two-game road slump.

“You obviously want to come into an opponent’s rink and bring a hard-working, disciplined, physical game,” said Pats’ head coach Jason Fortier.

“I think we got a little bit away from the physicality, but structurally we were very sound. Hats off to Pickering. They really worked hard, and it was a back and forth battle.”

Ursitti’s goals solidified his team lead in that category with 21, and the second-year man out of Mississauga has only been held pointless in three of Toronto’s 12 contests in the 2015 calendar year thus far.

“He’s using his speed,” said Fortier said.

“He has speed to burn, and he makes it tough on opposing ‘D’ when he is using it, cutting through the seam. On the ‘PK’ we could have had a couple shorthanded goals, and he was a big piece of that. He has been a real big player for us of late.”

Saturday’s game vs. Milton remained a contest until the 11:05-mark of the second period when, with the score 3-2, Pats rookie Mario Ferraro scored his first career goal on the power play; and the proverbial floodgates opened.

Toronto scored once more in the middle period by way of a wrister from Jacob Hayhurst, and then two goals in a minute to begin the third frame put the game away for good.

Nick Geiser added another one for good measure at 17:35.

“It was especially nice to see some guys break out of some slumps,” said Fortier post-game.

“I think after a bit of a slow start we were clicking on all cylinders in the second and third. I think we really transitioned into some good puck protection deep in their zone, and I felt like we were moving the puck a lot more freely.”

A big key was the play of veteran winger Mitch Emerson, whom the Pats acquired from Pickering at the trade deadline, and who chipped in with two goals and an assist on the night.

His line, along with Nathan Feric and Hayhurst, combined for six points.

“Mitch is such a smart player,” said Fortier.

“He makes the right play a lot of times; he does play a north-south hockey game, which creates space for his line mates. He is playing with two very good hockey players, so he can go to the net and do what he does well.”

Mat Robson made 54 saves on 58 shots over the weekend, earning wins No. 17 and 18 on the year.

“Mat played well,” said Fortier.

“We’ve been really satisfied with him lately. He has been stepping up in practice more, and that has really been carrying over into his game. That’s what we’re looking for from him.”

Next up for the Pats is a trip to Mississauga on Wednesday evening for their final road contest of the season. They will play their final three games at home, where their record currently sits at 19-5 on the year.

Written by: Jamie Neugebauer