Hanrahan The Hero In OT As Bengals Win a Nail-biter

The Hamilton Bengals (9-6) traveled east to face the Ennismore James Gang (2-14) in Ontario Series Lacrosse action Saturday evening at the Robert E. Young Recreation Centre in Ennismore, Ontario. 

The goaltending match-up had Mateo Beaudin in net for the Bengals facing Cole George in net for Ennismore. 

A back and forth game from start to finish saw Hamilton tie the game with merely 0:23 seconds left.  In overtime, a costly penalty by the James Gang saw Cole Hanrahan tuck it by Cole George 1:37 into the extra period for the narrow victory.

Josh Gilray (2g,1a) led the Bengals, while Mason Tardiff (2g,0a) was the offensive leader for the James Gang. 

To The Game:


Nick Dilauro got the only tally for Ennismore in the period off an Isaac Newland feed at 13:59.  

Both goalies played well stopping a combined 28 shots in the period.

After one period, Ennismore 1 Hamilton 0.

Second Period:

Hamilton got their offense moving in the second with Josh Gilray converting a Michael Mayes pass at 6:49, followed by Zach Sunderland finishing a Josh Gilray pass at 9:26.

Mason Tardiff tied the game for the James Gang with an outside blast off a Matt Tamlin pass at 11:11, but Tye Argent regained the lead for the Bengals with an inside swim move off a Trevor McDonald pass at 11:25.

Again, Ennismore tied the game when Adam Churchill finished a Nick Dilauro feed at 13:19, but Hamilton came back with Josh Gilray scoring his second of the game on the power-play at 16:15.

Jack Bucknell scored for the James Gang off an Isaac Newland feed at 16:55, but Alec Tamas replied with another in close beauty off a Gareth Haigh pass at 17:41.

After two periods, Hamilton 5 Ennismore 4.

Third Period:

After a defensive struggle throughout the frame, Ennismore finally got rewarded with a pair of goals.  Bryce Dennis opened the scoring with a blast off a Nick Dilauro pass at 13:37 on the power-play, followed by Mason Tardiff with his second of the game on the power-play as well at 16:25.

The James Gang looked to be heading for the winners circle until Brendan McLeod wired a Zach Sunderland pass in at 19:37 to send this game to overtime. 

After regulation, Hamilton 6 Ennismore 6.

Overtime:

After a holding penalty from Evan Taylor of Ennismore, Cole Hanrahan was able to tuck a Brendan McLeod pass in the shortside at 1:37 on the power-play to win the game for the Bengals. 

Final score, Hamilton 7 Ennismore 6.

The Three Stars:

1. Gareth Haigh 
2. Josh Gilray 
3. Mason Tardiff