A’s take Orangeville in OT for 4th straight win

The St. Catharines Athletics have their first four-game win streak since the 2012 junior A lacrosse season after outlasting the Orangeville Northmen 12-9 in overtime Friday night on the road.

The Northmen opened a 4-3 first-period lead, while the game was tied 7-7 after 40 minutes and 8-8 at the end of regulation.

In the extra period the A’s outscored Orangeville 4-1, scoring the first two goals, including Alex Simmons’ hat trick tally for what turned out to be the game-winner.

“We’re really playing with a lot of confidence right now, and the guys are really buying in and believing in themselves,” Athletics head coach Steve Toll said.

Simmons added four assists as Orangeville outshot St. Catharines 54-47. Nick Damude turned aside 45 shots to pick up the win in goal for the A’s.

“This (Orangeville) is one of the hardest spots to win a game in the whole league,” Toll said. “My thing today was, I told the guys, we were going to find out if they’re boys or if they’re men, and we answered the bell. I’m really proud of the guys.”

Jeff Wittig and Jake McNabb both had impressive offensive games as well. Wittig finished with one goal and five helpers. McNabb four goals and one assist.

The Athletics, 6-3, will reach the

halfway mark of the season Monday night in Burlington in a game that could be a battle for first place.

“Every game in this league is hard, and anyone can beat anyone

on any given night,” said Toll. “We have to outwork Burlington. They have a really good offence.

“It’s going to be a big battle on Monday night.”

A’s Acorns: Brad Fannell, injured, was replaced by Spartan junior B captain and callup Jake Edmands … Jacob Johnson and the Northmen’s Randy Black dropped the mitts during the second period of this game.