On Thursday night the New York Lizards took on the Hamilton Nationals at Icahn Stadium, in New York City. The Nationals went into the game in second place a game and a half back of the undefeated Denver Outlaws. While the Lizards were running in sixth place at three and a half games back of Denver. Both teams were coming off of very lopsided losses.
The Lizards got the scoring started 33 seconds into the game with a rip from just inside the two point arc by Max Seibald. Stephen Peyser got another for the Lizards with a rocket one step inside the arc, before the Nationals were able to get the ball on offense. Kevin Crowley was able to get Hamilton on the board at the 2:34 mark of the first quarter. The Nationals were able to go on a three goal run once Crowley started getting their offense going. After the first quarter the Hamilton Nationals were up 5-4.
In the second quarter the New York Lizards went on an outstanding five goal run, while also able to hold the Nationals to no goals. The Lizards defense came up big during the second quarter, lead by their goalie Drew Adams, who got the start. Adams finished the game with 10 goals against and 12 saves. While his counterpart, Dillon Ward, finished the game with 12 goals against and 11 saves. Ward got the start over Brett Queener, and played extremely well. This gives the idea that there may be a bit of a goalie controversy going on north of the border.
In the third quarter Mike Poppleton got the Nationals back in the swing of the game, with a man-up goal. After Poppleton’s goal Tommy Palasek and Kevin Crowley traded of back to back goals, where Palasek was able to mount a hat trick and start to put the game away for good.
In the fourth the Nationals mounted a comeback. Stephen Keogh had two goals and an assist, while trying to pull out the late win. Unfortunately for Keogh and the Nationals the comeback was a little late.
Leading all players with goals and points was Kevin Crowley, who had six points (5g, 1a). Right on Crowley’s heels was the recent Tewaaraton Award winner, Rob Pannell. Pannell finished the game with five points (2g, 3a). And right behind Pannell was his teammate Tommy Palasek, who had 4 goals.
The Thursday night game finished 12-10 in favor of the Lizards.
The Lizards will play the Boston Cannons on June 21, in Boston. While the Hamilton Nationals will play the Rochester Rattlers on June 22 in Hamilton, Ontario.
