A Big First Period Gives Rivermen The Victory

(Photo courtesy of Andrew VanEvery )

By Gary Groob 

The Six Nations Rivermen (4-0) traveled east to face the Ennismore James Gang (0-3) at the Lakefield Arena in Lakefield, Ontario. 

The goaltending match-up had Elan Henhawk in net for the Rivermen facing Andrew Kidd in net for the James Gang. 

The Six Nations Rivermen exploded out of the gates and never looked back early, overwhelming the Ennismore James Gang with a relentless first-period attack in an 11-7 victory. Thunder Hill sparked the offense and the Rivermen kept coming in waves as Kevin Owen-Hill, Davin Bomberry, Mitch VanEvery, Connor Costigan, and Lucas Beaver all found the back of the net in the opening frame. Six Nations controlled possession, pushed the pace in transition, and capitalized on their opportunities to build a commanding 7-1 lead after twenty minutes before extending it to 10-2 through two periods.

Ennismore showed tremendous character in the third period and refused to go quietly. Robbie McGrayne, Colton McNutt, Evan Taylor, and Mason Tardiff helped ignite a spirited comeback effort that briefly cut the deficit and created some momentum for the James Gang. However, each push was met by an answer from the Rivermen, with Ross Hill and Thunder Hill delivering key goals to halt the rally. Despite the late surge from Ennismore, Six Nations' dominant start proved too much to overcome as the Rivermen secured the 11-7 win.

To The Game:

The Rivermen got on the board early with Thunder Hill blasting a low to high shot off a David Peterkin pass at 5:18, followed by Kevin Owen-Hill in transition off a loose ball unassisted 0:27 seconds later.

Davin Bomberry then scored with a sidearm snipe off a David Peterkin feed at 6:34, followed by Mitch VanEvery converting a Ross Hill pass at 10:01.

The onslaught continued with Connor Costigan finishing a Mason Hill pass in transition at 12:50, followed by Mitch VanEvery's second of the period, off a Thunder Hill pass at 13:36.

Liam Vollans finally got Ennismore on the board with a low to low laser off a Robbie McGrayne pass at 17:35, but a Lucas Beaver tally with just 0:07 seconds left in the period had Six Nations firmly in control. 

After one period, Six Nations 7 Ennismore 1.

Second Period:

Six Nations kept the momentum going to start the second period with Tyler Brown finishing a David Peterkin pass at 2:08, followed by Thunder Hill with a great individual effort unassisted at 5:23.

Robbie McGrayne got the James Gang back on track on the power-play with a blast off a Liam Vollans pass at 9:01, but Davin Bomberry's second of the evening on the power-play at 10:45 again extinguished the James Gang momentum. 

After two periods, Six Nations 10 Ennismore 2.

Third Period:

Whatever was said in the James Gang dressing room in the intermission lit a fire under the team.  

Robbie McGrayne scored his second of the game off a Mason Tardiff pass at 3:47, followed by Colton McNutt with a low to low blast off an Adam Churchill feed at 13:14.

Evan Taylor kept the comeback alive scoring in transition off a long lead pass from Andrew Kidd at 14:12, followed by Mason Tardiff with a shot from the side of the net off a Braydon Johnson pass at 15:38.  

Ennismore fought back to bring the game within four goals.

The Rivermen got back on track with Ross Hill finishing a Dalton Kane pass at 16:33, followed by Thunder Hill with another highlight-reel marker off a Connor Costigan feed at 17:57.

The James Gang kept fighting with Liam Vollans converting an Adam Churchill pass at 19:37, but it was too little too late.

Final score, Six Nations 11 Ennismore 7.

The Three Stars:

1. Thunder Hill 
2. Robbie McGrayne
3. Mitch VanEvery