The week of January 12th to 18th was one of the most eventful stretches of the GMHL season. It featured the All-Star Game in Wasaga, the player acquisition deadline on Wednesday night, a statement 7–4 win by Northumberland over Bradford on Friday, and a thrilling overtime victory by West Nipissing over Wasaga on Sunday afternoon.

 

Yet amid all of that, the game that stood out most was Saturday night in Tottenham, where the Tottenham Railers delivered one of the most unexpected results of the season—an overtime win over the league-leading Northumberland Stars.

The Railers entered the matchup under difficult circumstances. In the days leading up to the deadline, Tottenham had either traded or graduated six of their top seven point producers to the professional ranks, leading many around the league to label them sellers. What followed instead was a performance defined by structure, discipline, and belief.

 

Tottenham struck first when Tristan Lavoie opened the scoring early, but Northumberland answered with a power-play goal from Brayden Bowen before taking the lead later in the period on a marker from Brendan Collins. Despite heavy pressure from the Stars, the Railers kept the game within reach through the opening twenty minutes.

 

The second period was scoreless, though far from quiet. Northumberland controlled much of the play and tested Tottenham repeatedly, but the Railers bent without breaking and headed into the third still down just one.

 

In the final frame, Tottenham earned a key power play, and Lavoie delivered again, tying the game and forcing overtime. The decisive moment came late in the extra session when Alexis St. Laurent finished a play set up by Lavoie and Nicolas Eastwood, sending the home crowd into celebration and sealing a 3–2 upset.

The story of the night belonged in the crease. Anton Nikulin delivered one of the strongest performances by any goaltender this season, stopping 56 of 58 shots for a .966 save percentage. Time and again, he turned aside Grade-A chances and allowed Tottenham to stay composed under sustained pressure.

 

At the other end, Nick Mayne was solid for Northumberland, making 22 saves in defeat, but was ultimately outdueled in a game where the margins were razor thin.

Anton Nikulin – 56 saves, .966 SV%

A defining performance that anchored the upset.

 

Tristan Lavoie – 2G, 1A

Involved in all three Railers goals, including the overtime winner.

 

Alexis St. Laurent – OT GWG

Finished the night with the decisive moment.

Brayden Bowen – Power-play goal

 

Brendan Collins – Even-strength goal

 

Tristan Miron – Key contributor in transition and on special teams

While Northumberland remains firmly atop the South Division, this game served as a reminder that no result is guaranteed—particularly late in the season. For Tottenham, the win reinforced the organization’s depth and resilience, even after significant roster turnover at the deadline.

Following the emotional victory, the Railers fell 8–0 to Bradford on Sunday night and will next host the Ville-Marie Pirates on Saturday the 24th.

 

Northumberland returns to action on Friday the 23rd, also against Ville-Marie, as they look to quickly reestablish momentum after a rare setback.