Although Wednesday night’s MSL matchup between the Six Nations Chiefs and the Brooklin Redmen had no bearing on their respective division standings, a win by the home side would vault Brooklin into sole possession of top spot overall. Both teams came into the game leading their division, although one point separated them (along with Brampton and Peterborough) in the overall standings. Both teams were coming off overtime performances against “lesser” opponents – the Redmen an OT win over Ajax and the Chiefs a tie against Kitchener/Waterloo, a team they lost to earlier in the year.
Both teams felt they should’ve dominated those games, so they were both looking to rebound in their head-to-head tilt. Alex Hill got Six Nations on the board with two goals forty-five seconds apart just over six minutes in. Brooklin responded with a three goal run, which was answered by the Chiefs. After taking two penalties earlier, Nick Dechenko drew Brooklin within one, although the Redmen still trailed 5-4 at the break.
It took just three and a half minutes for Shawn Williams to tie the game in the second period on a beautiful drive to the net. Not only did he beat his man one-on-one, he also kept his foot out of the crease long enough for the ball to go in, and avoided contacting Brandon Miller. Unfortunately, despite some impressive saves from Aaron Bold, the Chiefs erupted in the second half of the period for five straight to lead 10-5 after two.
As was the case in the second, Brooklin opened the third scoring, this time off the stick of Kiel Matisz, twenty-nine seconds in. Six Nations would again go on a run, this time consisting of four unanswered goals. Derek Hopcroft had a solid night for Brooklin scoring twice and adding three assists, including the final goal of the evening. It would be too little too late, however, as Six Nations come away with a 14-7 victory.
Kedoh Hill had a career night scoring four goals and adding two helpers for six points. Also with six for the Chiefs was Colin Doyle, all of them assists. Cody Jamieson, Rhys Duch and Craig Point all had five points. Also with five points were Derek Hopcroft and Shawn Williams for Brooklin, basically the only two Redmen to provide any input. Aaron Bold faced fifty-four shots, and saved forty of them but still took the loss while Brandon Miller started his first game of the season and made thirty-one saves for the win. Miller must dress for every game the remainder of the season to be post-season eligible.
The two clubs will renew acquaintances on Saturday at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena. No doubt Brooklin will have revenge on their mind. However, the gameplan all season long for the Chiefs has been gaining the top seed and making the finals. They’ll be looking to prove once again they’re a force to be reckoned with on Saturday. If motivation wasn’t enough bad news for Brooklin, consider Six Nations have yet to lose at home this season. The Redmen will have to look much better than they did Wednesday.
