With just under two weeks to go before the start of the 2013 Canadian Lacrosse League (CLax) season the Barrie Blizzard and Toronto Shooting Stars met in an exhibition matchup on Sunday, December 30th at Stephen Leacock Arena in Scarborough ON.
Barrie opened the scoring just under two minutes into the game, and added two more within a minute to lead 3-0 early. They would hold a 4-1 advantage after one period, but the second quarter belonged to Toronto. The Shooting Stars erupted for eight goals, including two by sixth round draft pick from the Nanaimo Timbermen, Blake Kenny. Barrie would score four of their own, including a last minute marker from Niel Mayhoffer, but they would trail 9-8 at halftime.
CLax’s unique substitution rule designed to encourage transition play gave Toronto a short change to the net in the second and third quarters, and they continued after halftime where they left off scoring six more in the third quarter. Garrett Kerr and Connor Brown would each score a pair in the run. Barrie countered with two goals, but the Shooting Stars stretched their lead to 15-10. After Toronto scored a quick goal, Barrie was forced to kill off a slashing penalty and the kill energized the team. They responded with three goals in three minutes to pull within two. However, a quick pair by Toronto put the game out of reach. Barrie’s Caleb Wiles would score his second of the game late, but it wasn’t enough as the Blizzard fell 18-14.
Wiles led all scorers with five points (two goals, three assists) while teammateBrandon Collins wasn’t far behind with four points (two goals, two assists).Scotty Komer started the game for the Blizzard but only played the first quarter. James Lumley, Mike Vertolli and Brett Kikot also saw time between the pipes.
Blake Kenny led Toronto with four points (two goals, two assists) along with eighth round draft pick from Oakville Mike Gillan (two goals, two assists). Three Toronto goalies combined for the win with Angus Dinely starting, Gary Muzzin playing the middle quarters and Derek Collins finishing with the fourth.
Barrie will play Durham in a final exhibition tune-up on January 5th, 2013 at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa. Tickets for that game are available now with every seat for just $5. Their regular season starts on the road on January 26th against the Ohsweken Demons. They make their home debut on February 17th when they host Toronto.
Toronto opens their 2013 season on January 12th, 2013 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (formerly Maple Leaf Gardens). Prior to the game CLax and the Shooting Stars will honour past members of the Toronto Shooting Stars, the 1974 Toronto Tomahawks club, and the 1999 and 2000 NLL Championship Toronto Rock teams. Tickets for this, and all other regular season CLax games, are available for $12/seat.
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