MAKING MOST OF THEIR CHANCES. Orangeville Industrial Supply played just as hard but it was Fifth Avenue Dental who made the most of their chances in Orangeville Storm U14 championship action on Sunday afternoon. After falling behind 3-0 in the first half, Orangeville Industrial Supply were unable to crack the combination of a tight defense and stingy goaltending as Fifth Avenue went on to win 4-0. Photo/MIKE MALONEY The MacMaster Pontiac Buick GMC Northmen officially kicked off their 2010 Junior B lacrosse campaign with mixed results this past weekend.

Edged 7-6 in the final minute of play against Welland in their home opener at the Tony Rose arena on Saturday night, Orangeville put it all together on the road Sunday with a strong third period showing to defeat Guelph 9-7.

Saturday night was not just their home opener, but also the first official game of the season for Orangeville and it was the veterans that lead the way with Andrew Stoner putting up the first Northmen goal of 2010, an unassisted marker 3:35 into the opening frame.

Penalties would act as both momentum killers as well as momentum builders for both teams. After tying the game at 1-1, Welland rode the wave of elation and scored a shorthanded marker at 13:52 before adding another two minutes later for a 3-1 lead.

With 2:23 remaining in the first Dustin Caravello stepped up, snapping a shot over the right shoulder of Welland's goalie to draw Orangeville to within one heading into the second.

Short tempers and emotion resulted in a string of penalties for both teams in the second period as both sticks and fists started swinging

Stoner and Caravello again found themselves in the thick of things. They set up Niall Caravello, who threaded the needle for his first of 2010 before Travis Szabolc power-play marker at 7:45 gave the Northmen a 4-3 lead.

The two squads would swap a pair just past the midway point with Orangeville's Dustin Caravello taking a set up from Aaron 'Ace' McNutt to retain their one goal lead heading into the third.

Welland goals at 3:14 and 6:11 of the final period put Orangeville back into catch-up mode.

A number of big saves and solid goaltending from Curtis Rydall held the Warlords in check long enough for Niall Caravello to lace one down the slot to tie it all up at 6-6 with just under nine minutes remaining.

Pressing hard in the Orangeville zone after having one goal disallowed, Welland cashed in their dues one last time with 45 seconds left too play and then rode out the clock to steal away with a 7-6 victory.

Sunday night in Guelph against the Regals, it seemed the floor was sloping towards the home end with Orangeville outscoring Guelph 4-2 in the first. Then, after switching ends for the second, Guelph popped four to Orangeville's two, sending the teams into the final period of play tied at 6-6.

Again, it was the Northmen veterans stepping up to lead the way in the third with Stoner scoring his second and Dustin Caravello his third of the night before Jayme Szabolcs added an insurance marker on the way to a 9-7 Northmen win.

Other Orangeville goal scorer's included Travis Szabolics, Niall Caravello and Zach Ursu.

For Northmen coach Blaine Burman, the weekend was one of mixed blessings. Not only did it show the teams strengths, but also illustrated the areas they need to work on in 2010.

Encouraged by the strong effort of his players, Burman nonetheless knows discipline is an area that is going to need some attention. Not just in keeping his players out of the box, but in playing the style of system he and his coaching staff are trying to impose on the team.

He also noted the lack of production on the powerplay, in particular a couple of five on three opportunities Saturday night, some thing he readily admits, 'we need to work on".

The week ahead promises to continue being a busy one for the team.

Wednesday night Six Nations is in town to kick off a five game home stand for the Northmen (results unavailable at press time). Saturday, Wallaceburg makes the long trek east to Orangeville for a 7 p.m. date at the Tony Rose followed by Owen Sound who will be taking up residence on the visitors bench for an 8 p.m start on Monday.