Carrigan's Hat-Trick Helps Propel The Merchants To Victory

(Photo courtesy of Sam Hossack Media)

The Hamilton Bengals (2-3) traveled east to face the Brooklin Merchants (8-1) at the Iroquois Park Sports Complex in Whitby, Ontario in Ontario Series Lacrosse action Saturday evening. 

The goalie match-up had Sam Haines in net for the Bengals facing Lucas Coote in net for the Merchants. 

After what looked to be a defensive struggle in the first period, the Brooklin Merchants ramped up their offense to grab a 3-0 first period lead.  Led by Zac Carrigan, the Merchants were able to caputalize on the few opportunities they were afforded.

The second period looked to be more of the same, with Brooklin getting out to a 7-1 lead.  Hamilton, however, worked their way back in the game late in the period with three unanswered goals to make a game of it.

In the third, both teams jostled for goals, but a nastiness started to become more apparent.   With a rematch looming the following night, both teams were posturing, sending distinct messages.  The Merchants came away with a hard fought 9-6 victory.

To The Game:

After a defensive struggle for almost 13:00, the Merchants finally got on the board.  Zac Carrigan converted a Zach Miller pass on the power-play at 12:43, folllwed by a low to low shot from Devon Pipher off an Eddie Renaud pass at 13:51.  The Merchants continued the attack with Zac Carrigan scoring from in close at 14:14.

After one period, Brooklin 3 Hamilton 0.

Second Period:

Zach Miller opened the second period scoring for Brooklin with a blast off a Will MacLeod feed at 1:42, but the Bengals came back when Dawson Brown finished a Jack Jasinski pass from in front at 4:06.

Brooklin answered when Zac Carrigan converted a Parker Pipher pass at 5:35, followed by Zach Miller with a great individual effort unassisted at 6:56.  Parker Pipher added to the lead with a finese move from in close off a Will MacLeod pass at 8:53.

Dawson Brown got his second of the game on transition off a Ryan Haigh pass at 9:16, followed by Jaden Patterson with an in close rocket off a Josh Gilray pass 15:44.  Jack Jasinski added to the Bengals total with flying towards the net off a Neil McInroy pass at 15:58.

After two periods, Brooklin 7 Hamilton 4.

Third Period:

Eddie Renaud opened the third period with a highlight reel goal from in close off a Zach Miller pass at 1:12, but Ryan Haigh answered with a low to low shot off a Shane Halliwell pass at 9:04.  

Gareth Haigh added another unassisted tally at 10:51, but a goal from Darryl Robertson in transition off an Adam Perroni pass sealed the deal at 18:42.

Final score, Brooklin 9 Hamilton 6.

The Three Stars:

1. Zac Carrigan 
2. Zach Miller 
3. Dawson Brown