The Gorillas Hockey Academy ORANGE - 17M rode a potent offensive attack to a 7-4 road victory over the North Stars Hockey Academy in a penalty-filled contest. The visitors set the tone early, with Beckham LaBossiere and Jett Ranslam striking in quick succession to build a 2-0 lead. The North Stars responded late in the period as Jack Fitzgerald, assisted by Jack Wedick, got the home side on the board. However, the Gorillas answered right back in the final seconds of the period, with Harvey MacIntyre scoring to restore the two-goal cushion. The middle frame saw the Gorillas extend their lead, with Ryan Stanley scoring early and Parker Weber netting what would stand as the game-winner, assisted by Jase Ristola and MacIntyre. The North Stars showed fight, as Braxton McCulloch-Smith scored to make it 5-2, but penalties proved costly for both sides throughout the period.
The North Stars mounted a spirited comeback attempt in the third period. Hudson Owens and Jordan Bennett scored to cut the deficit to a single goal, bringing the score to 5-4 and injecting life into the home bench. The Gorillas' defense and goaltending, however, weathered the storm. With just under two minutes to play, Jett Ranslam secured his second goal of the game, assisted by Croy Adams and Caleb Smith, to give the visitors crucial breathing room. An empty-net goal from Jase Ristola, assisted by Torin Hewson, sealed the 7-4 victory for the Gorillas. The game was a chippy affair, featuring nine minor penalties, with the North Stars' Ethan Roy, Gabriel Ryabchenok, and Braxton McCulloch-Smith and the Gorillas' Torin Hewson (twice) and Ryan Stanley (twice) all spending time in the box.
Despite the late push from the North Stars, highlighted by multi-point efforts from Jack Wedick and the goal from McCulloch-Smith, the Gorillas' balanced scoring proved too much to overcome. Key contributors like Harvey MacIntyre, Jase Ristola, and the two-goal scorer Jett Ranslam provided the offensive depth needed to secure the win on the road, showcasing the team's firepower in a decisive Hockey Super League matchup.
