Bengals Make A Statement Sweeping Ennismore

By Gary Groob 

The Hamilton Bengals traveled east to face the Ennismore James Gang in game two of the Ontario Series Lacrosse playoffs at the Lakefield Arena in Lakefield, Ontario. 

The goaltending match-up had Cole George in net for the James Gang facing Aden Walsh in net for the Bengals.

Hamilton punched its ticket to the Ontario Series Lacrosse semifinals in dominant fashion, defeating the Ennismore James Gang 12-6 to complete a 2-0 first-round series sweep. The Bengals controlled the contest from the opening faceoff, building a commanding 4-0 lead after one period before extending the advantage to 8-4 through two. Zach Terry's four-goal performance, combined with Curtis Ward's offensive production and balanced scoring throughout the lineup, proved too much for Ennismore to overcome.

Despite a spirited effort from the James Gang, highlighted by Liam Vollans' six-point outing and strong contributions from Mason Tardiff and Daniel Clark, Hamilton consistently answered every rally. The Bengals' depth, transition game, and disciplined defensive effort carried them to a decisive win and set up a semifinal showdown against the Six Nations Rivermen.

To The Game:

Hamilton got on the board first with Andy Campbell scoring off a turnover unassisted at 8:04, followed by Nile Cyr in transition off a Jacob Killian pass 27 seconds later.

Zach Terry capitalized on the power-play with a blast off a Nile Cyr feed at 9:10, followed by Zach Terry with a low to low laser off a Curtis Ward pass 39 seconds later.

After one period, Hamilton 4 Ennismore 0.
Shots on goal favored Hamilton 25-8.

Second Period:

Hamilton continued the onslaught with Brendan Campbell converting an Andrew Horsely pass at 3:01, followed by Justin Hill blasting a Jaden Patterson feed 25 seconds later.

Liam Vollans finally got Ennismore on the board with a low laser to the corner off a Daniel Clark pass at 3:51, followed by Mason Tardiff converting a nice feed from Vollans at 5:46.  

Vollans added his second of the game off a Daniel Clark pass at 11:04, but Pent Eistrat was sent in all alone off a long lead pass from Aden Walsh at 13:46 to get the Bengals back on track.

Zach Terry continued the Bengals attack with a late marker unassisted at 17:53, but Nick DiLauro scored a buzzer beater on the power-play off a liam Vollans pass at 19:59.

After two periods, Hamilton 8 Ennismore 4.
Shots on goal favored the James Gang 18-13.

Third Period:

Mason Tardiff opened the third period scoring for the James Gang on the power-play with a blast off a Daniel Clark pass at 3:28, followed by Clark himself with a low laser off an Adam Churchill pass at 7:34.

Hamilton stormed back with Zach Terry scoring off a Curtis Ward pass at 10:09, followed  by Ward himself with a crafty goal from in close off a Jaden Patterson pass at 10:54.  

Ward then struck from the outside off a Pent Eistrat feed at 11:43, followed by Jaden Patterson on the power-play with a blast off a Curtis Ward pass at 18:27.

Final score, Hamilton 12 Ennismore 6.
Shots on goal favored the James Gang 19-18, for a game total of 58-45 in favor of the Bengals. 

The Three Stars:

1. Zach Terry 
2. Curtis Ward 
3. Liam Vollans 

Hamilton wins the best of three series 2-0, and will now face Six Nations in the Semi-Finals.