Ottawa Valley triumphs over Whitby at U13 AAAs

THUNDER BAY – The Ottawa Valley Titans got a goal and two assists from Calum Mason to propel them to a 3-1 victory over the Whitby Wildcats Thursday in Day 2 play at the All-Ontario under-13 AAA championship, presented by BioSteel, at the Fort William Gardens.

The best chance of the opening 10 minutes came when Ottawa Valley’s Calum Mason ripped a shot off the cross bar and out of play from just inside the blueline on a man advantage.

Still on the power play, the Titans capitalized moments later when Mason slid a pass through the crease that was steered into the open side by Cole Krottner past Wildcats goaltender Cohen O’Neill.

Action in the middle stanza saw the Hockey Eastern Ontario title holders extend their lead at 3:57 when Krottner dropped a pass in the neutral zone to Mason who dashed into the Whitby zone and while going to the net tucked one through the legs of O’Neill.

Adding another, seconds into a power play, Mason worked it over to Miller Zavitske, who in turned buried his chance from the right circle.

Whitby would eventually solve Ottawa Valley netminder Marcus Smolcic while shorthanded when Shea Huinink chipped one past a falling Titans defender and raced in alone down the left wing with a sharp shot.

They would get no closer however as the Titans held firm to secure the victory.

With the win, Ottawa Valley moves to 1-1 in the seven-team provincials, with Whitby falling to 1-1 overall.

Photo credit: James Mirabelli