The Six Nation Chiefs opened up the start of the MSL season at home Tuesday night with a game against the Kitchener Waterloo Kodiaks. These teams made some news earlier in the spring when the Kodiaks traded Dhane Smith, Jay Thorimbert and goalie Dillon Ward to Six Nations. In exchange the Chiefs sent KW Evan Kirk, who was later traded again to the Lakers.
On Tuesday the Chiefs went into this game without their full roster and had to call up Riverman players Roger Vyse, Wayne VanEvery Jacob Crans and Angus Goodleaf. Also a few Junior A players from the Arrows saw time in the lineup; Greg Longboat, Leo Stouros, and Doug Jamieson who backed up in net. The Chiefs also got back Marty Hill who missed all of last season with an injury. Marty was back and played some stellar defense and looked ready to go in 2015.
Buffalo Bandits rookie Brandon Goodwin is now a Six Nation Chief after having had two strong seasons in the WLA. The best player for the Chiefs in this game was Randy Staats who had the hat trick and look unstoppable at times on offense. Newcomer Dhane Smith only had one assist that was to Randy. Dhane and Randy played some two man game and it will just get better as the year goes on as both give the Chiefs a strong ride side on offense.
Wayne VanEvery might have been a call up but he finished with (1G, 2A) he showed he can be relied on when needed and should be a solid call up whenever the Chiefs need another lefty. After goals by Wayne and Brandon Goodwin, the Chiefs jumped out to a 4-2 lead in the game but the Kodiaks never went away. Jamie Batson, Mike Melnychenko and Jordan Critch scored to keep them a live.
In the third is where the Kodiaks opened it up scoring six unanswered goals three of which were scored by Joey Cupido. In net the Chiefs had Knighthawks back up Angus Goodleaf who seemed to struggle at times but did he finish with 34 save. KW had Buffalo Bandits back up Dave Diruscio who finished with 41 saves making it very tough for Six Nation to score all night. Kitchener Waterloo walked away with the 12-5 win on the road Tuesday and will take Six Nation on again Sunday.
