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Americans take Bulls by the horns

September 17, 2014   ·   0 Comments

Wednesday’s (Sept. 10) home opener against the Bradford Bulls ended with a 4-3 win for the Orangeville Americans after the hometown squad battled back from a one goal deficit in the first period.

The Americans were behind after Bradford notched two goals early in the game. Brandon Bedminster scored the first O-ville goal of the season late in the first period.

Returning for the second frame, the Americans tied it up on a goal from Tyler Loucks, then when ahead on a short handed effort from Steven Fowler at the midway mark in the period.

Orangeville’s Nick Ciaravella scored with just over two minutes left in the period.

Bradford scored a single in the final 20 minutes, but the Americans held them off to take the win and start the season on a positive note.

“We’ve got eight returning guys including five guys from Orangeville,” Said Americans head coach Tyler Fines. “We look good, we’ve got really good top forward lines. Our goaltending is hands-down better than it’s been in the last four years. We just hope we come out and put on a good show for the fans.”

The five hometown players include forwards Evan Bryk, Brandon Bedminster, Tyler Loucks, David Hooper, and defenceman Nick Shuman.

The Americans finished in the number eight spot out of 20 teams in the League last season.

“We had an early exit in the playoffs (last season) so that kind of hurt, but we think we’re going to do well this year. I know the guys are thinking a lot right now, but they look prepared.” Fines said.

The squad travelled to Bradford on Monday, September 15, to again take on the Bulls and left with a 5-4 win after an overtime period that saw O-ville’s Will Whalen score the winning goal with three seconds left on the clock in the OT period.

The teams battled to a 1-1 tie in the first, with the Americans getting the edge in the second period scoring three to end the frame at 4-2. Bradford battled back in the final 20 minutes notching two to tie the game and force the overtime period.

That gives the Americans a 2-0 record early in the season, but there’s a long way to go yet, with some of the GMHL teams yet to play their first game of the 2014 / 15 season.

The Americans will be back on home ice at the Alder Street arena in Orangeville on Wednesday, September 24, to host the Toronto Predators.

Game time is 7:30 p.m.

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