ORANGE PRIDE: LIONS BRING HOME BARON CUP

BROOKLYN, OH- In an intense and thrilling battle, the Orange Lions triumphed over the Nordonia Knights 4-3 in overtime to claim the Baron Cup on Friday night. The game began with a stunning early blow as Nordonia took the lead just 38 seconds into the contest. However, the Lions quickly responded, with Cooper Radillo scoring just two minutes later to knot the game at 1-1.

Radillo would strike again later in the first period, putting the Lions ahead 2-1 with an unassisted goal with 4:42 remaining in the period. But things took a turn when a major penalty was called for boarding on Russell Tye giving the Knights a golden opportunity. With 22 seconds remaining in the period, the Knights capitalized on the power play to tie the game 2-2.

The momentum swung again early in the second period, when Nordonia took their first lead of the afternoon, scoring on another power play just over a minute into the frame, making it 3-2. That would be the final goal for the Knights, as Lions’ senior goalie Zach Frederick made 35 saves, including an incredible 25 consecutive stops in the final two periods, keeping his team in the game.

In the third period, the Lions fought back relentlessly, and at 5:02, Charlie Thomas found the back of the net to tie the game at 3-3. Both teams traded shots in the final minutes, but neither could break the deadlock before time expired, sending the game into overtime.

Just 49 seconds into the extra period, Noah Rice silenced the Knights’ hopes with a game-winning goal, propelling the Lions to a hard-fought 4-3 victory and the Baron Cup title.

The Lions will look to keep their momentum going as they head to Kent State University next Saturday to face Solon in the OHSAA tournament.

Box Score

1st Period

NOR- Noah Vega :38

OR- Cooper Radillo (Asst- Noah Rice & Russell Tye) 2:30

OR- Cooper Radillo 10:18

NOR- Jarod Outward (Asst- Jack Henderson) 14:38 PP

2nd Period

NOR- Noah Vega (Asst- Jarod Outward) 1:09 PP

3rd Period

OR- Charlie Thomas (Asst- Cooper Radillo & Noah Rice)

Overtime