Menace Analyst – Mikayla Guarasci
Milton Menace Preview: Menace vs. Burlington Cougars– September 29, 2023
After two games at the OJHL’s 2023 Governors Showcase, the Milton Menace are back at home to face the Burlington Cougars on Friday night.
The Menace ended the showcase on a high note, beating the Lindsay Muskies in overtime. Owen Kindree scored in the first for Milton, but Lindsay took a 2-1 lead into the third. Connor Driscoll tied things up in the final frame, sending the game to overtime. Justin O’Donnell was Milton’s overtime hero, scoring a power play marker 1:24 into the extra period. Kindree added two assists for three points in the win. Menace goaltender Ariel Zaslaver made 21 saves.
Friday’s game will be the first of four meetings between Burlington and Milton this season. With both teams in the West Conference, these points are that much more important. Milton and Burlington split last season’s series with each side winning two games.
The Cougars are coming into this game on a six-game losing streak, including losses to Georgetown and Collingwood in Buffalo at the showcase. Many of their games have been tight, one-goal losses with many of those even going to overtime. The Menace have the ability to make it difficult for their opponents to stay with them on the scoreboard. They will have to pressure Burlington offensively to secure the win.
Many Menace players have seen offensive success so far this season. Driscoll leads the way with 12 points in six games, picking up at least one point in each of his games. Graeme Macauley is also on a six-game point streak with nine points in that time.
Be sure to pick up your tickets for Friday’s game to support the Menace in their only home game of the weekend. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. from Milton Memorial Arena and the game can be streamed on FloHockey.
