The Toronto Shooting Stars had a busy week eight and it’s not over yet; they’re back at it Monday night when they host the Durham TurfDogs. Toronto opened their three game weekend on Friday night with a 13-10 win over the Brampton Inferno and then squeaked out a victory on Sunday versus the struggling Iroquois Ironmen. The Shooting Stars currently sit atop the CLax standings in a tie with the Niagara Lock Monsters but a win Monday night will move them into sole possession of first place.
Friday’s game in Brampton was a battle which featured 84 minutes in penalties including a mini brawl in the second quarter. Toronto was up 6-1 when Brampton’s Brock Boyle cut to the net from the outside and tried to score as he dove through the crease. In the process he brushed into goaltender Angus Dinely who took exception and gave a shot back at Boyle who immediately dropped his gloves and went at Dinely. That drew a bit of a crowd and although six fighting majors were issued, there were no real fights per say. Ben McCullough was issued a game misconduct on the play for his cowardice attack on rookie Joel Wasson-McQuigge who barely got his gloves off to defend himself. McCullough landed twelve unanswered uppercuts including three cheap shots while Wasson-McQuigge was on the turf covering up.
When the dust settled the teams got back to lacrosse and the momentum was shifted to Brampton who scored five unanswered goals to tie the game 6-6 at halftime. Toronto came out from the break composed and they controlled most of the second half, eventually winning the game 13-10.
Peterborough minor lacrosse product Aaron Grayson led the Shooting Stars with 3 goals and 3 assists while Dinely made 47 save in the win.
Toronto had Saturday off to rest but were right back at it on Sunday night against the lowly Iroquois Ironmen. The Shooting Stars jumped to a 4-1 lead early but Iroquois would come back and tie the game going into halftime; a little déjà vu from Friday’s game. The second half was back and forth as both teams traded goals until the final buzzer.
The turning point of this game was when captain Josh Wasson-McQuigge scored with 13 seconds left in the third quarter. That gave Toronto an 8-7 lead going into the final frame and they were able to slow things down and kill the clock a bit. In the fourth quarter Derek Hopcroft scored a goal that would eventually become the game winner and the Shooting Stars would go on to win 9-8. Connor Daly was Toronto’s best player on this night; he was solid at both ends of the floor while chipping in 2 goals and 1 assist.
No rest for Toronto as they are right back at it Monday night at home versus the Durham TurfDogs.
This will be a tough test for the Shooting Stars as Durham is looking to get back in the win column after a tough loss Saturday against the Niagara Lock Monsters; the same team that currently shares first place with Toronto. Game time is 8pm at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, formerly the Maple Leaf Gardens.
