The Niagara Lock Monsters (6-2) ended their 2014 regular season with a 13-7 victory over the SouthWest Cyclops (2-5) at Seymour Hannah Arena.
Week 6 honorable mention for Transitional Player of the Week Jon Arnold (2g, 1a) opened the scoring for Niagara, as the Lock Monsters would build a 4-0 lead early courtesy of a pair of goals from Tim Bergin and a lone tally from Andrew Potter.
Tyler Burton would score his first of three in the game to put the Cyclops on the board with just under two minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Though the second frame saw Eric Pitre strike first for SouthWest, the Lock Monsters would continue to control the game outscoring the Cyclops 3-1 in the quarter to enter halftime with a 7-2 advantage.
SouthWest was able to claw back in the second half, as the teams would trade goals throughout the remaining quarters. Despite a comeback effort that was highlighted by Burton capping off a hat-trick effort, the Cyclops would trail by no less than four the remainder of the game.
Corey Fowler (1g, 5a) led Niagara to victory with six points. Tim Bergin (3g, 2a) had an impressive five point showing, while Andrew Potter and Brad Favero each finished with two goals and two assists a piece. Chris Janese and Bryan Neufeld each had a goal in the win.
Burton led a quiet offensive showing for the Cyclops. SouthWest scoring leader Mike Burke was held to just two points in the game, his only tally coming with under five minutes remaining in regulation. A trio of Cylclops rookies – Eric Pitre, Matt Spanger, and Ryan McCrory – added lone goals in the loss.
SouthWest will have an opportunity to end their inaugural CLax regular season on a positive note when they travel to the Molson Centre to take on the Barrie Blizzard (1-4) Sunday, March 23 at 2 p.m. A victory for the Cyclops would ensure a playoff spot.
Niagara, who have already slated a spot in the CLax Semi-Finals, will await for their opponent to be determined for the Sunday, March 30 match-up.
