Cruise Complete Stunning Comeback to Claim Dramatic Overtime Victory

By Gary Groob 

The Collingwood Cruise (3-9) traveled east to face the Belleville Kodiaks (3-9) in Ontario Series Lacrosse action Sunday night at the Stirling Arena, in Stirling, Ontario. 

The goaltending match-up had Dante Mancini in net for the Cruise facing Gavin Williamson in net for the Kodiaks. 

The Collingwood Cruise erased a three-goal first-period deficit and twice battled back late before Tanner Soudan's overtime winner lifted them to an electrifying 11-10 victory over the Belleville Kodiaks Sunday night at Stirling Arena.

Belleville controlled the opening frame behind a hat trick from Cam Milligan, building a 4-1 lead after 20 minutes while outshooting the Cruise 21-16. But the game turned completely in the second period as Collingwood exploded for six goals. Josh Sanchez started the rally before Zack Gignac connected on the power play. Braydon Hickey then sparked the comeback with a pair of goals just 28 seconds apart, including a shorthanded marker, while Scott Edwards and Eddie Renaud also found the back of the net to give the Cruise a 7-5 lead heading into the third.

The final period featured end-to-end drama as the teams traded goals throughout.  Milligan completed a remarkable five-goal performance before setting up Cain Brown to tie the game midway through the period.  Connell appeared to win it for the Kodiaks with 1:21 remaining, but with the extra attacker on the floor, Bergsma buried the dramatic equalizer with just 19 seconds left to force overtime. Just 45 seconds into the extra session, Tanner Soudan scooped up a loose ball and buried the winner, sending the Cruise to a thrilling 11-10 victory and into the league's final playoff position despite Belleville holding a 69-57 edge in shots.

To The Game:

Belleville opened the scoring with Cam Milligan converting a Seven Gillingham pass at 7:20, but Scott Edwards tied the game in transition on a broken play unassisted at 8:56.

Milligan would lead the way for the Kodiaks with a blast off a Jack Bucknell feed at 9:53, followed by Seven Gillingham with a shot from the top of the crease also off a Bucknell pass at 15:52.  Then Milligan scored his third of the period from the side of the net unassisted at 16:51.

After one period, Belleville 4 Collingwood 1.
Shots on goal favored Belleville 21-16.

Second Period:

Whatever was said in the Cruise dressing room had them firing on all cylinders in the second period.

Josh Sanchez opened the scoring converting a Braydon Hickey pass at 2:04, followed by Zack Gignac on the power-play with an outside blast off an Eddie Renaud feed at 11:41.

Braydon Hickey then continued the Cruise comeback with back to back markers.  The first shorthanded off a turnover sending him in alone at 13:00, followed by a goal from in front 28 seconds later to take the lead.  Scott Edwards continued the Collingwood run in transition with a bounced shot off a Dante Mancini long lead pass at 15:18.

Cam Milligan finally stopped the Cruise's run with sidearm laser from the outside off a Cain Brown pass at 16:46, but Eddie Renaud restored the two goal cushion with a low to low blast to the far corner at 18:11.

After two periods, Collingwood 7 Belleville 5.
Shots on goal favored the Kodiaks 30-22.

Third Period:

Caleb Connell opened the third period scoring with a shot off a Will White feed to get Belleville within one at 2:15, but Graham Bergsma replied with an outside bounced shot off a Braydon Hickey pass at 8:09.

Nolan Rutty again brought the Kodiaks within one goal with a shot to the far corner off a Caden Hewitt pass 46 seconds later, but Chase Forsythe answered at 9:38 in this see-saw affair. 

Cam Milligan's fifth of the game, followed by Cain Brown with a low to low laser off a Milligan feed tied the game at 14:10, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

Belleville looked to have sealed the deal with a goal from Caleb Connell at 18:39, but with an extra attacker on the floor Graham Bergsma found the back of the net with just 19 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime. 

After regulation, Collingwood 10 Belleville 10
Shots on goal favored the Cruise 18-17.

Overtime:

It took just 45 seconds, but Tanner Soudan picked up a loose ball and made no mistake sending Collingwood to the final playoff spot.

Final score, Collingwood 11 Belleville 10.
Shots on goal were tied 1-1, for a game total of 69-57 in favor of the Kodiaks. 

The Three Stars:

1. Cam Milligan 
2. Graham Bergsma 
3. Braydon Hickey