Game of the Week: Northumberland Stars vs. Toronto Flyers
Saturday, January 4th, 2025 – Paramount Ice Complex, Thornhill, ON

The Toronto Flyers pulled off a thrilling upset with an 8-5 victory over the first-place Northumberland Stars in a high-stakes South Division clash. Tomas Palandra and Ryan Daponte powered the Flyers’ offense with a combined eight points, while Toronto extended their winning streak to six games—the longest active streak across both GMHL divisions. Despite a valiant third-period comeback attempt by the Stars, the Flyers’ early dominance proved decisive in this battle between two teams enjoying their most successful seasons in franchise history.

Game Summary

First Period

The Stars struck first, as Thomas Johnston found the back of the net at 2:31, assisted by Sterling Poff and Ross Maycock. Toronto quickly responded with Tomas Palandra’s equalizer less than a minute later, with assists from Marcus Ferrara and Ryan Daponte. The Flyers surged ahead with three more goals, including a pair of power-play markers from Ferrara and Daponte, to close the period with a 4-1 lead despite being outshot 15-14.

Second Period

Toronto’s offense kept rolling in the second. John Di Lucia scored on the power play at 5:22, followed by a tally from Massimo Caputi at 8:04. Palandra added a spectacular shorthanded goal at 10:02 to make it 7-1. Though the Flyers managed just five shots in the period, their clinical finishing stifled Northumberland’s momentum.

Third Period

The Stars showed why they lead the South Division with an explosive third period. Owen Brady opened the scoring at 10:02, followed by goals from Christopher Hannah, Blake Ellis, and Ross Maycock, cutting the Flyers’ lead to 7-5. However, Palandra completed his hat trick with an empty-net goal at 19:42, securing the victory for Toronto.

Goaltending Battle

Toronto’s Lucas DiRisio stood tall under pressure, making 37 saves on 42 shots to hold off the surging Stars. Northumberland’s Brady Dyer struggled early, stopping 14 of 21 shots before being replaced by Cohen Bedore, who made 3 saves on 4 shots in relief. The Flyers capitalized on their chances early, building a lead the Stars couldn’t overcome.

Key Performances

• Tomas Palandra (Toronto): Dominated with three goals, including a shorthanded effort and an empty-netter, along with an assist.
• Ryan Daponte (Toronto): Tallied a goal and three assists, leading the Flyers’ offensive charge.
• Thomas Johnston (Northumberland): Sparked the Stars’ comeback with a goal and three assists, showcasing his leadership on the ice.
• Marcus Ferrara (Toronto): Chipped in with a goal and an assist, playing a key role in the Flyers’ early surge.

Implications

The Flyers’ sixth straight win, the longest streak in the GMHL, highlights their status as one of the league’s hottest teams. Currently in fourth place in the South Division, Toronto continues to close the gap in the playoff race. For the first-place Stars, the loss is a rare stumble in an otherwise stellar season, though their third-period rally reaffirms their resilience.

What’s Next

The Stars will regroup as they prepare to host the St. George Ravens in their next matchup, aiming to protect their top spot in the South Division. The Flyers, riding high on their streak, will face the North Divisions West Nipissing Lynx as they look to further solidify their playoff positioning. The battle for South Division supremacy is heating up, and these two teams remain at the center of the action.