Back on Top as Merchants Win at Home

By Mark Stehlin

It was a busy weekend for the Brooklin Merchants who lost in Six Nations on Saturday night and took care of business back home last night with a 16-9 win over the Ennismore James Gang. With the win, the Merchants improved to 9-1 and leap frogged the Rivermen back into top spot.

Ryan Schuetzkowski was in net for the home team as Riley Finn took his spot in the James Gang crease. Shots on net were 67-41 in favour of the Merchants with both goalies making saves for their teams when needed.

Fans had barely settled into their seats when the Merchants Owen Tapper, from behind the net, reached over and dropped one behind Finn for an early lead. Not to be outdone, Landen Sinfield drifted across the slot firing the ball behind Finn not once but twice in a span off 11 seconds to open a 3-1 gap. The Merchants kept rolling in that opening frame and Lucas Littlejohn scored two of his four on the night. Score after the opening 20 minutes was 8-4 for the home side.

The middle frame was more of the same as Littlejohn, and recently acquired Carter Page, both scored within the first two minutes. Page came to the Merchants by way of the James Gang with his rights returning to Ennismore in 2027.

“It felt good to get the win tonight. This was my third game, I am getting more comfortable with these guys and finding my stride with each game,” said Page. 

“My uncle is the head coach over there and the assistant coach is my dad, so I have been around the James Gang for a long time.  I don’t think I have ever played against a team that my dad was coaching so that was a bit different. It’s a good group here and I am looking forward to a good run,” added Page.

It was a solid second period and as the clock wound down the scoring continued. With under three minutes to go, Zach Miller streaked in and fired one behind Finn. Mere seconds later, Brooklin Lacrosse Club’s top pick in the 2026 entry draft, Elijah Edwards scored his first in a Merchants uniform. Sinfield added his third with 53 seconds on the clock and the score was 15-8 for the home side.

After an offensive onslaught for the first two periods, the game slowed down, and each side only managed on goal in that final frame. With 13 minutes off the clock, Sebastian Reynolds put one behind Schuetzkowski and with 17 seconds left on the clock, Page with his second of the game and fifth in a Merchants uniform sealed the deal. 

The Merchants (9-1) will head into the final weekend of the regular season with a home and home series against the Hamilton Bengals (5-5).