Toronto Atomic jumped into third position in the First Division standings with an emphatic 6-2 victory over Niagara United at the Kalar Sports Park at Niagara Falls, and in one other game in the top division Saturday night, Toronto Croatia defeated York Region Shooters 3-1.
Forward Ihor Mihalevskyy opened the scoring at 12 minutes for Toronto Atomic and Dario Brezak increased the lead to 2-0 three minutes later.
Derek Paterson struck for Niagara United for a 2-1 score at 21 minutes, and Niagara were reduced to 10 just four minutes later when Johnny Paiva was ejected following a second caution at 25 minutes.
It was 2-1 at half-time.
Toronto Atomic then scored four second half goals to jump into a 6-1 lead, two by Ihor Melnyk at 49 and 54 minutes – his eighth and ninth of the season – and two goals by Oleksandr Semeniuk at 55 and 60 minutes to increase his tally to 10 for the season.
Jacob Therrien reduced the lead to 6-2 with a goal at 71 minutes for Niagara United and it was 6-2 at the final whistle in favour of the visitors.
Toronto Atomic moved up to third spot in the First Division table with a 10-8-2 WLT record for 32 points, while Niagara United are at 1-15-3 for six points.
Defender Sven Arapovic opened the scoring for Toronto Croatia just two minutes into the match and York Region Shooters leveled the score 1-1 with a goal by Steve McDougall at the 26 minute mark.
Defender Josip Keran was then in the spotlight by scoring two goals from the penalty spot before being sent off after receiving a second caution.
Keran scored his first at 30 minutes for a 2-1 score at half-time, then found the net from the spot at 83 minutes, both for hand ball infringements by York Region. The goals were Keran’s eighth and ninth of the season. The defender was then sent off for two yellows at 87 minutes.
The game ended 3-1 in favour of Toronto Croatia to strengthen claim on the second position with a 12-4-3 record for 39 points, four points behind the league-leading Serbian White Eagles.
York Region Shooters now have a 10-8-1 record for 31 points in fourth position.
There was one Second Division game played Saturday, with Niagara United B and Toronto Atomic B playing to a 2-2 tie.
