A Strong Second Leads Clearview To Victory

Written by Gary Groob  - All Lacrosse All The Time

The Clearview Crushers (1-1) visited the Hamilton Bengals (1-1) at the Rosedale Arena in Hamilton, Ontario Saturday night. 

Hamilton beat Ennismore 20-4 in their inaugural game last week, while Clearview had a rough outing against Six Nations and were hoping to get on track against the Bengals.

The goaltending match-up had Jackson Brown in net for Clearview facing Chase Cosgrove in net for the Bengals. 

While Hamilton had a 2-1 lead after one period, the Clearview Crushers were ready to change the dynamics of the game.   Led by Gareth Haigh's two goals, the Clearview Crushers scored four times in the second period to take a 5-3 lead.  

While the Bengals got themselves within one goal in the third, Angus Rawding and Nile Cyr put the game out of reach scoring in the final few minutes.  Clearview held on for an 8-5 victory.

To The Game:

Braydon Hickey got Clearview rolling early converting a Spencer Andrews pass at 2:49, but a power-play goal from Jack Fitzgerald, then Greg Love with an even strength marker had the Bengals up by one at the intermission. 

After one period, Hamilton 2 Clearview 1.

Second Period:

Gareth Haigh opened the second period scoring converting a Spencer Andrews pass at 1:42, followed by Jake Dithurbide blasting an Adam Hawrelak feed at 13:00 to give Clearview the lead once again.

Tye Argent tied the game once again off a Colin Matthews pass at 13:58, but a power-play goal by Angus Rawding restored the Crushers lead at 16:31.  Gareth Haigh added his second of the game converting a Chris Malette feed at 18:24.

After two periods, Clearview 5 Hamilton 3.

Third Period:

The Crushers opened their biggest lead of the night when Braydon Hickey scored off a Spencer Andrews set up at 7:39.  The Bengals pushed hard with Jack Fitzgerald and Mitch Bolduc tallying markers to get within one, but that was as close as they would get.

Angus Rawding's second of the game at 16:38, followed by a transition goal from Nile Cyr off a long lead pass from Jackson Brown at 18:30 sealed the deal.

Final score, Clearview 8 Hamilton 5.

The Three Stars:

1. Gareth Haigh 
2. Jack Fitzgerald 
3. Spencer Andrews