A Strong Second Period Send Hamilton To Victory

The Hamilton Bengals (2-2) faced the Collingwood Cruise (0-7) in Ontario Series Lacrosse action Saturday night at the Eddie Bush Arena in Collingwood, Ontario. 

The goaltending match-up had Lucas Nagy in net for the Bengals facing Jackson Hainer in net for the Cruise.

Collingwood got off to a solid start in this game, scoring two quick goals, putting the Bengals on their heels.  However, Hamilton was able to get back on track as the period went on, to be deadlocked 3-3 after one. 

The second period was a different story.  The Bengals scored six times led by Gareth Haigh with a hat-trick in the period.  The Bengals defense started to tighten up, only giving up a pair of goals to the Cruise. 

The third period turned into a defensive struggle.  Both Jackson Hainer and Lucas Nagy were superb in their respective nets, with Hainer making an unbelievable 62 saves in the game.

The only goal on the third came from Travis Bland of Collingwood, but it was too little too late to salvage the victory.  Hamilton came away with a 9-6 victory. 

To The Game:

The Cruise got off to a fast start when Brayden Hickey converted a Travis Bland pass at 1:37, followed by Tye Burke blasting a Hickey feed just 0:18 seconds later.

Chayton King got one back for the Bengals with a low to low shot off a Tye Argent pass at 3:54, followed by Shane Halliwell with the tying goal off a Jaden Patterson pass at 11:21.

Hamilton took their first lead when King got his second of the period with a swim move off a Halliwell feed at 15:27, but Scott Edwards tied the game for the Cruise with just 0:10 seconds remaining in the period. 

After one period, Collingwood 3 Hamilton 3.

Second Period:

Gareth Haigh gave Hamilton the lead at 4:13 off a turnover unassisted, but Scott Edwards evened the game finishing off a Travis Bland pass at 7:39.

Gareth Haigh then scored the next two goals to put the Bengals back in the lead.  The first was in transition off a long lead pass from Lucas Nagy at 9:45, followed by a quick stick off a Trevor McDonald feed 0:26 seconds later.

Braydon Hickey made it a one goal game once again off a Ben Baker pass at 10:32, but Thomas MacDonald converted a Joey Cupido pass in transition at 11:21.

The Bengals finished the period strong with Shane Halliwell converting a Chayton King pass at 15:41, followed by King himself finishing a Neil McInroy pass at 17:28.

After two periods, Hamilton 9 Collingwood 5.

Third Period:

Collingwood scored the only goal of the period when Travis Bland was able to beat Lucas Nagy to the stick side off a Tye Burke pass at 6:47.

Final score, Hamilton 9 Collingwood 6.

Shots on goal favored Hamilton 71-41.

The Three Stars:

1. Gareth Haigh 
2. Jackson Hainer 
3. Shane Halliwell