As was expected from the MSL season, the top four teams in the standings (alphabetically: Brampton Excelsiors, Brooklin Redmen, Peterborough Lakers, Six Nations Chiefs) are closer than they’ve been in recent memory, while distancing themselves from the other two teams (Ajax Rock, Kitchener/Waterloo Kodiaks). Four teams were in action on Sunday in games that would have massive impacts on the season standings.
First, at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Six Nations, the Chiefs hosted the Redmen. Brooklin has had their chances to pull away from the pack, including a matchup on Wednesday against the Chiefs at home, but have simply not been able to answer the bell. Cam Holding put the Redmen on the board just twenty-five seconds in leading to the first five goals of the game, spanning into the second period. Clearly they were looking to send a message, they belong at the top. Six Nations offence is simply too talented to stay off the scoreboard for long as Cody Jamieson and Alex Hill provided the meat in a Stephen Keogh goal sandwich. With the final half of the third to play, Brooklin still led by one, but the Chiefs were closing in.
Shorty after the Redmen extended their lead the Chiefs’ Alex Hill was assessed a roughing penalty at 12:19, to which head coach Rich Kilgour expressed his displeasure. For his efforts, he was also assessed a two minute minor. Of course, Derek Hopcroft scored on the five on three. The penalties continued to come for Six Nations, this time a major for unsportsmanlike to, who else, Rory Smith. On that power play, Shawn Williams tallied his second of the afternoon to put Brooklin up 8-5. Jamieson would add his second later on, but it was not enough. Brooklin returned the favour from Wednesday, defeating Six Nations at home to draw within one point of Six Nations, and two of Peterborough who is in top spot overall.
Later Sunday evening, Kitchener and Brampton renewed acquaintances with four points separating the two teams in the overall standings. With both teams playing in the western division, these battles become even more significant. Going into Sunday’s game, the teams had split their season series with each team winning on the road. However, Kitchener’s win was by a 10-4 score, while the Excelsiors only won 8-7 last week.
Mark White got Brampton started just under three minutes into the game, but, as has been the case too often this season, the Excelsiors’ offensive efforts fizzled. Kitchener would score five in the first, including two by Dhane Smith, as part of an eight goal run spanning the opening periods. Bryan Neufeld broke up the streak, but Kitchener wasn’t fazed answering with three more. At the 16:17 mark of the second, Kitchener controlled the scoreboard 11-2. John McClure and Joe Walters finished the period with goals, but it still left Brampton down seven headed to the final frame. The Kodiaks would win the third period 3-1, and the game 14-5.
Brampton continues to struggle to score goals with just a 6.2 average this year. They have scored six or less goals in six of their eleven games, and have only gone above seven twice (eleven versus Ajax and eight against Kitchener last week). If there is good news for Brampton it is that their final three games of the season will all be played at home where they have a 3-1 record so far. This comes after playing six of their last seven away from Brampton, and none of those at the Powerade Centre. The bad news is two of those games will be against Peterborough and Kitchener, both teams that have embarrassed the Excelsiors in their previous matches this season (19-4 to the Lakers and 10-4 and 14-5 losses to Kitchener). If Brampton hopes to play the majority of their post-season games at home, they’ll need to step up, and they’ll need to do it soon.
