Both Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) playoff series were in action Thursday night heading into an off weekend for all four teams.
Six Nations vs. Kitchener-Waterloo
(Six Nations leads 2-0)
The Six Nations Chiefs managed to take a two game series lead with a 9-8 win over the Kitchener-Waterloo Braves. K-W took an early lead just over five minutes into the opening period off goals from Joey Cupido and Brandon Ivey. The Chiefs would answer back and even the game before the end of the period after Ian Llord and Jesse Gamble each notched goals.
Dhane Smith would open the scoring in the second period to regain the lead for the Braves. However, Six Nations would answer back with three unanswered goals to make in 5-3. Kasey Beirnes and Colin Boucher helped extend the lead for six Nations, however it was the Braves who would head into the final period with the advantage. Smith would add three more goals before period’s end, while Aaron Wilson would also score a pair for the Braves to give them an 8-7 lead.
Six Nations scored the only two goals of the final frame to pull off the win. Steven Keogh tied the game for the Chiefs before Marty Hill scored the game winner with just under four minutes remaining in the game.
Cody Jamieson and Rodd Squire led the Chiefs offensively, each finishing with one goal and two assists for three points. Kasey Biernes also had two goals in the win with Jesse Gamble adding a goal and an assist for Six Nations. Aaron Wilson registered two goals and three assists for five points in the loss for the Braves, while Dhane Smith had four goals.
The teams will take the weekend off before resuming the series in Six Nations Tuesday, August 6 at 8:00 pm.
Peterborough vs. Brooklin
(Brooklin leads 1-0)
Brooklin captured the opening game of the series with a 13-10 road victory over the Peterborough Lakers.
Peterborough took an early three goal lead with Josh Gillam, Chris Vitarelli and Jordan Macintosh all tallying markers. Cam Holding and Mike Melnychenko would score for Brooklin to cut the Lakers’ lead to one heading into the second period.
A wild second period featured fourteen goals scored in total, with the teams exchanging goals several times. Brooklin would head into the third period with a 10-9 lead thanks to a late tally from Gavin Prout after taking a breakaway pass from goaltender Zack Higgins.
Derek Hopcroft extended the Redmen lead to open the third before Shawn Evans answered just thirteen seconds later to bring the Lakers back within a goal. However, the lead would once again be extended when Melnychenko buried a shorthanded goal for Brooklin. Hopcroft would add some insurance with seven minutes remaining to seal the victory for the Redmen.
Gavin Prout (1g, 5a) and Shawn Williams (6a) each had six points, while Derek Hopcroft and Scott Campbell both had two goals and two assists for four points in the win for Brooklin. Shawn Evans carried the Lakers in the loss with three goals and four assists for seven points. Scott Evans also had a hat-trick for Peterborough.
The Redmen will host game two of the series Monday, August 5. at 8:00 pm.
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