Clearview Pushes Brooklin To The Brink, But The Merchants Hold On

Written by Gary Groob  - All Lacrosse All The Time

The Brooklin Merchants (9-1) traveled west to face the Clearview Crushers (3-6-1) at the Stayner Arena, in Stayner Ontario Saturday night. 

The last time these two teams met, Brooklin's only lead of the night came with just 0:34 seconds left.  The Merchants came from behind to beat the Crushers 15-14.

The goaltending match-up had Deacan Knott in net for Brooklin facing Jackson Hainer in net for Clearview. 

A thoroughly exciting game from start to finish had Brooklin and Clearview tussle back and forth all night long.  

A three goal run in the second had the Crushers take the lead.  The Merchants answered with a three goal of their own to end the second up by two.

In the third, Christian Watts made it a Brooklin three goal lead, but Gareth Haigh and Braydon Hickey on the power-play brought this game within one goal with 4:36 left.  Christian Watts again scored with just 2:36 left on the power-play to give Brooklin a bit of breathing room.  Jordan Roberts scored once more for Clearview with 0:05 seconds left, but the Merchants held on for the 8-7 win.

To The Game:

The Merchants got on the board first when Zac Carrigan converted a Devon Pipher from in front at 4:46, followed by Adam Perroni also finishing a Devon Pipher feed at 9:21.

Spencer Andrews got Clearview on the board with a laser off a Graham Bergsma pass at 14:23.

After one period, Brooklin 3 Clearview 1.

Second Period:

Parker Pipher increased the Brooklin lead to start the period off a Kobe Handsor pass at 2:55, but a three goal run from Clearview gave them the lead.  Angus Rawding finished a Spencer Andrews pass at 6:13, followed by Gareth Haigh with a blast off a Jordan Roberts pass at 7:16.  Cole Hanrahan added an unassisted goal at 9:07 for the Crushers lead.

Darren Elliott tied the game for Brooklin off a Devon Pipher pass at 11:02, followed by Adam Perroni's second of the game shorthanded in transition at 13:28.  Zac Carrigan converted a Nolan Rutty pass on  the power-play at 16:36 for a two goal lead.

The Crushers got one back with Gareth Haigh wiring an Angus Rawding pass at 17:15, but Zac Carrigan's third of the night restored the two goal lead at 19:48.

After two periods, Brooklin 7 Clearview 5.

Third Period:

Christian Watts increased the Brooklin lead firing a shorthanded goal off a Zac Carrigan feed from in front at 9:05, but a pair of Crushers tallies had this a one goal game again.

Watts gave the Merchants a two goal lead again with just 2:37 left on the power-play, but an unassisted marker from Jordan Roberts at 19:55 had Clearview down just one.   The Crushers ran out of time as the Merchants held on for victory. 

Final score, Brooklin 9 Clearview 8.

The Three Stars:

1. Christian Watts 
2. Devon Pipher 
3. Gareth Haigh