Game of the Week: North York Renegades vs. Northumberland Stars
Friday, November 29th, 2024 – Keeler Centre, Colborne, ON

The Northumberland Stars edged out the North York Renegades in a thrilling 3-2 victory that showcased defensive resilience and key offensive plays. Brady Dyer’s heroics in net and Ross Maycock’s two-goal performance propelled the Stars to the win, extending their strong form. North York, despite an intense push and 46 shots, couldn’t break through in critical moments, falling just short in a tightly contested game.

Game Summary

First Period

The game began with both teams locked in a defensive battle. Despite a balanced 12 shots each, neither team could find the back of the net. Both goalies, Artemii Gaidukov for North York and Brady Dyer for Northumberland, displayed poise, keeping the game scoreless.

Second Period

North York struck early in the second period when Val Johnston capitalized just 21 seconds in, assisted by Damian Bridgett and Nathan Downes. The Renegades' momentum, however, was short-lived. At 14:07, Northumberland’s Ross Maycock tied the game with a slick finish, assisted by Jaden Smith and Oliver Cabala. A physical period ensued, with both sides trading penalties, but neither could capitalize on the man advantage to gain an edge.

Third Period

Northumberland took the lead at 3:16 of the final frame, with Maycock scoring his second of the night off feeds from William Shmyr and Sheldon Purchase. Just over a minute later, Matt Shulist extended the Stars’ lead on the power play, converting assists from Jayden Allen and Mitchell Quesnel. North York mounted a furious comeback, with Maximus Marek Tortorella scoring on the power play at 14:59, set up by Elias Najem and Timothy Nguyen-Trang. Despite sustained pressure in the closing minutes, including a late power play, the Renegades couldn’t find the equalizer, leaving the Stars to celebrate a hard-fought victory.

Goaltending Battle

The goaltenders were pivotal in this matchup. Northumberland’s Brady Dyer was outstanding, stopping 44 of 46 shots for an impressive .957 save percentage. His timely saves, particularly in the third period, preserved the Stars’ narrow lead. At the other end, Artemii Gaidukov held his own for North York, making 31 saves on 34 shots for a .912 save percentage. Both netminders kept their teams in the game, with Dyer earning the first star for his game-changing performance.

Key Performances

• Brady Dyer (Northumberland): Stellar performance in net with 44 saves and a .957 save percentage.
• Ross Maycock (Northumberland): Two crucial goals, including the game-winner, earning the second star.
• Maximus Marek Tortorella (North York): Scored on the power play to keep North York in the game late.

Implications

The win solidifies Northumberland’s status as a team to be reckoned with in the South Division, with contributions from both veterans and depth players, they continue to build momentum for a lengthy playoff push that could include a matchup with the very same Renegades. North York, despite the loss, displayed their offensive potential, but they’ll need to focus on converting opportunities in tight games to maintain their competitiveness if they hope to maintain their status the elite of the South Division come Russell Cup Playoff time,

What’s Next

Northumberland, having since this game added another victory, will look to extend and match their longest winning streak of the season to 5 on Tuesday at the GMHL showcase against the North Division Ville-Marie Pirates. The Renegades will also be looking to get back on track at the Showcase where they will look to put an end to their 3 game losing streak against the Bradford Rattlers on Tuesday.