The West Durham Ironheads opened the 2018 season with a pair of victories, 9-6 over the Mississauga Tomahawks at the home opener and 12-8 over the Orillia Kings on the road.

On Wednesday night, the Ironheads were lead by veteran netminder Tyler Newman who made 46 saves en route to his 10th OJBLL victory in just his 16th career start. Newman stood strong in the second period, making many saves including a highlight reel stop to help the I-Heads hold a lead during some penalty trouble.

On the offensive side of the ball, Taggart Clark tallied a hat-trick and two assists for five points in the season opener. Jakson Raposo followed closely behind with a goal and three helpers. The Johns Hopkins commit’s lone goal was the first of his young junior lacrosse career. Also scoring their first goal in junior lacrosse was Cameron McGinnis who opened the scoring with an outside blast.

Rounding out the scoring was Mike Berger, Bryce Keats, Cyle Ropson and Kris Veltman. Berger and Keats join and look to be key contributors to the West Durham roster after spending last season with the club’s Jr.A affiliate the Toronto Beaches. Keats played with West Durham as a Midget AP in 2014 and 2015. Berger spent his first two full seasons of junior lacrosse with the I-Heads and part of last season before making the jump to Jr.A.

After a slow start on the road on Friday night, the Ironheads rallied to knock off the Orillia Kings 12-8 for their second win of the season.

Newman earned his second straight victory after coming in for relief for rookie netminder Liam Wright who struggled early on in the contest.

Once again leading the way offensive was Clark, who tallied a game and career high five goals. Berger also potted five points, scoring two goals and dishing out three assists. Newcomer Keegan White found the back of the cage twice with adding two assists four four points while rookie Raposo totaled four points in just his second junior lacrosse game.  

In his return to the lineup after his freshman season at Bellarmine University, assistant captain Dylan Tulett potted a pair of goals and added an assist.

The Ironheads look to go 3-0 on Saturday night as they head to Brampton to take on the Excelsiors(1-2) at 7 p.m.