Despite its 4-1 record, the Buzz sits third in the South East Division of the junior B loop, trailing the Mimico Mountaineers and Halton Hills Bulldogs (both 5-1).

"It's going to be a dogfight all year, I think," said Oakville head coach Stu Brown. "Our division over the last three to four years has been one of the toughest divisions in the entire league. We know that. Even a team like Mississauga (last in the division with an 0-9 record) is not a bad ball club, but they have the unfortunate situation where they sit in a division with three teams that will all be in the top three or four in the league, I would suspect."

The Buzz handed Mississauga one of its nine losses Friday, scoring four times in a 3:47 second-period span to blow open the game and coast to a 9-4 triumph.

Alex Kruse, Josh Ruys and Connor Gamble each struck for two goals and an assist. Brad Gillies was Oakville's top point-getter, notching a goal and four helpers.

Braden Gallant and Dylan Gilbert rounded out the scoring in support of Buzz goaltender Cam Watts, who was beaten only twice in the first 54 minutes of the game. Eric Crepinsek (three assists) and Spencer Gallant (two assists) also had multi-point outings.

That game was the opener of a home-and-home series between the clubs. Oakville will host the Tomahawks this Friday at Glen Abbey Recreation Centre, an 8 p.m. start.

After that, things will get a lot tougher for the Buzz. Beginning next Tuesday in Newmarket, Oakville will play four games in nine days against the much-improved Saints, Mimico and Halton Hills (facing the Bulldogs twice over that stretch).

Brown said the upcoming difficult schedule was by design.

"Last year we started 9-0-1, and the wheels came off later in the year when we took on tougher opponents," he said. "For a young team, I think it's important to realize where the benchmark's going to be come June. If you give them a couple tough games in May, they know what they have to be working on."