Haigh Get Thirteen Points As Bengals Ride Strong Third To Victory

The Hamilton Bengals (3-4) traveled east to face the Ennismore James Gang (2-8) Saturday evening in Ontario Series Lacrosse action at the Robert E. Young Recreation Centre in Ennismore, Ontario. 

The goaltending match-up had Griffin Baker in net for Hamilton facing Riley Finn in net for the James Gang. 

While the James Gang put in two strong periods, Hamilton was just too much to contain for all sixty minutes.   Led by Gareth Haigh (4g,9a), and Matt Gilray (3g, 4a), the Bengals exploded for six goals in the third period to win this game 13-9.  Griffin Baker was exceptional in net making 45 saves on 53 shots.

For Ennismore, Nick Dilauro (4g,1a), and Michael Blaymires (0g,7a) led the offensive charge.  Riley Finn made 44 saves of 58 shots.

To The Game:

The Hamilton Bengals got on the board first when Chayton King converted a Tye Argent pass at 1:30, but Caleb French answered for the James Gang with a blast to the corner off a Ryan Patterson feed at 4:59.

Chayton King got his second of the period for the Bengals off a Gareth Haigh pass at 5:57, but Bryce Dennis again tied the game off a Michael Blaymires pass at 8:02. 

Nick Dilauro gave Ennismore their first lead of the day with a laser to the corner off an Adam Churchill pass at 9:03, but a shorthanded goal from Dawson Brown put the game even once more at 11:09.

Tye Argent and Gareth Haigh swapped goals, followed by Gareth Haigh giving Hamilton the lead at the break with a low to low laser off a Tye Argent pass at 16:32.

After one period, Hamilton 5 Ennismore 4.

Second Period:

Gareth got his natural hat-trick with a pair of goals to start the period.  Haigh's first was a blast off a Jaden Patterson pass at 0:44 seconds, followed by a swim move off a Josh Gilray pass at 4:18.

The James Gang answered with three of their own.  Adam Churchill finished a Nick Dilauro feed at 7:33, followed by a pair from Nick Dilauro.  Dilauro's first was on the power-play off a Michael Blaymires pass at 12:54, followed by an outside shot off a JJ Bryers pass at 15:06.

Shane Halliwell gave the Bengals the lead heading to break with a low to low shot off a Neil McInroy pass at 16:34.

After two periods, Hamilton 8 Ennismore 7.

Third Period:

Josh Gilray increased the lead with a pair of goals to start the period. The first was a sidearm snipe off a Gareth Haigh pass at 2:10, followed by a high to low bounced shot off a Brendan McLeod pass at 6:46.

Adam Churchill answered for the James Gang off a Reagan Martinell pass at 9:22, but Shane Halliwell restored the three goal lead with a laser to the corner off a Tye Argent pass at 10:04.

Jaden Patterson added one on the power-play off a Halliwell feed at 11:55, followed by Gareth Haigh with an outside howitzer off a Jaden Patterson feed at 16:45, followed by Josh Gilray with his third of the game off a Jaden Patterson pass at 17:28.

Final score, Hamilton 14 Ennismore 8.
Shots on goal favored Hamilton 58-53.

The Three Stars:

1. Gareth Haigh 
2. Josh Gilray 
3. Nick Dilauro