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OSHAWA -- The Durham Fury has managed to do what very few are likely to do this season: force the powerhouse St. Michael's Buzzers' to taste a little defeat.
That was the case Tuesday as the Fury benefited in a big way from outstanding performances from the goalie out in a stunning 4-1 victory in their home opener at the Campus Ice Centre.
Brandon Foote, the 16-year-old rookie netminder, and another first-year player in forward Luigi Martone led the charge with Foote making 35 saves while Martone capped a hat trick with a pretty breakaway goal in the third period to seal the victory.
After suffering an ugly 5-0 loss in Sunday's season opener against North York, head coach Grant Musselman was clearly impressed with how his team responded.
"It was a night and day difference," he said afterwards. "It (Sunday) was the first game for us as a team and every team needs to find their identity. To a man, I think they know they are a better team than they showed on Sunday and good teams respond."
Martone opened the scoring late in the first period as the Fury took advantage of a two-man power play.
The teams traded chances through the first 15 minutes of the second stanza before Behn Robertson and Martone scored to give Durham a 3-0 lead.
Eric Rubino scored soon after, sliding a loose puck past the outstretched leg of Foote to get St. Mike's on the board before the period was out.
But Martone's breakaway goal closed the door on any potential comeback late in the third. Despite his wonderful night, Martone was quick to share the praise afterwards.
"Getting a hat trick is great, but it is a team effort," he said. "I couldn't have done what I did out there without the team."
FURY FILES: The Fury has traded second-year forward Mitch Moffatt to the Port Hope Predators... The Fury is in Ajax Sunday for a 3 p.m. faceoff. They return home Tuesday to host North York at 7:30.
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