Brooklin Holds On To Beat The Rivermen

Written by Gary Groob  - All Lacrosse All The Time 

The Six Nations Rivermen (1-1) traveled east Friday evening to face the Brooklin Merchants at the Luther Vipond Memorial Arena in Ontario Series Lacrosse action. 

The goaltending match-up had Dusty Hill in net for the Rivermen facing Ryan Schuetzkowski in net for Brooklin. 

While Six Nations already had a game under it's belt, this was our first chance to see the 2024 version of the Merchants.  An evenly played game had this game tied on four seperate occasions, including 10-10 about half way through the third period.  A shorthanded goal by Trent Boyd followed by an Eddie Renaud insurance marker would be enough for Brooklin to come away with the 12-11 victory. 

To The Game:

Brooklin got on the board quickly with Cody Hamley converting a Ryan Schuetzkowski feed just 0:33 seconds into the game.  The Rivermen tied the game with a blast from Mike McLaughlin in transition off a long lead pass from Dusty Hill at 5:55.

John Wheller gave Brooklin the lead again off a Ryan Schuetzkowski pass at 10:00, followed by Ben MacDonnell with an unassisted goal at 11:35 to open a two goal lead.

Rodd Squire tied the game with a pair of goals, both off of Mike McLaughlin feeds for Six Nations, but a late goal by Brayden McGregor gave the Merchants the lead at the intermission. 

After one period, Brooklin 4 Six Nations 3.

Second Period:

Brooklin opened up a two goal lead with Cody Hamley scoring his second of the game unassisted at 2:17, but goals from Tayton Skye and Layne Smith tied the game once again.

Eddie Renaud's second of the game off a Parker Pipher pass at 5:09, Jacob Hickey converting a John Wheller pass at 7:38, then Trent Boyd firing a laser off a Ben MacDonnell feed at 9:03 put the Merchants up by three.

The Rivermen fought back with Mason Hill finishing an Oakley Thomas pass at 9:29, followed by a power-play marker from Danton Hill off a Rodd Squire feed at 13:13.

Brayden McGregor added a power-play goal for Brooklin at 13:12, giving the Merchants a two goal lead at the intermission. 

After two periods, Brooklin 9 Six Nations 7.

Third Period:

Eddie Renaud gave Brooklin a three goal lead converting a Jacob Hickey feed at 3:19, but three goals from Six Nations tied the game once again.  Layne Smith sandwiched Mike McLaughlin's second goal of the game in the mini run.

Trent Boyd gave the Merchants the lead once again with a great individual effort shorthanded, scoring unassisted at 11:37, then Eddie Renaud with the eventual game winner at 16:25.

The Rivermen kept pressing, with Danton Miller scoring off a Layne Smith feed at 18:24, but fell just short.

Final score, Brooklin 12 Six Nations 11.

The Three Stars:

1. Eddie Renaud
2. Layne Smith 
3. Jacob Hickey