Jake McNabb Scores Four Leading NorthStars To Victory Over Kodiaks

(Photo courtesy of Dillon Dunlop Photography )

By Gary Groob

The Belleville Kodiaks (0-3) traveled west to face the Owen Sound NorthStars (2-1) in Ontario Series Lacrosse action Saturday afternoon at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound, Ontario.

The goaltending match-up had Jackson Hainer in net for Belleville facing Calum Leaver-Preyra in net for the NorthStars. 

Owen Sound built momentum early and never backed down in a fast-paced battle with Belleville. Jake McNabb opened the scoring just 1:28 into the game, converting a Cohen Jennings pass, before Zach Thompson answered on the power-play for the Kodiaks. The NorthStars responded with a pair of shorthanded goals from Rob Kloepfer and McNabb to take a 3-1 lead after one period, showcasing their aggressive transition game and capitalizing on Belleville mistakes.

Belleville stormed back in the second period behind special teams and timely offense. Nate Schultzkie and Thompson scored on the power-play to erase the deficit before Sebastian Reynolds gave the Kodiaks their first lead of the afternoon. The teams traded goals late in the frame, including a quick response from Koichi Nakamura just seconds after Tyson Morrison tied the game for Owen Sound. McNabb completed his hat trick with only 37 seconds remaining in the period, sending the teams into the intermission deadlocked 5-5.

The third period tightened up defensively as both Jackson Hainer and Calum Leaver-Preyra delivered key saves to keep the game within reach. McNabb struck again on the power-play at 4:47 to restore the Owen Sound lead, and the NorthStars carried that edge deep into the final minutes. Carter Moran added an insurance marker with 2:17 remaining before Tyson Morrison sealed the victory late, as Owen Sound pulled away for an 8-5 win over Belleville.

To The Game:

Owen Sound opened the scoring with Jake McNabb converting a Cohen Jennings pass at 1:28, but Zach Thompson tied the game on the power-play finishing a Seven Gillingham feed at 4:12.

Rob Kloepfer gave the NorthStars the lead once again blasting a Wyatt Barfoot feed to the corner at 4:59 while shorthanded, followed by Jake McNabb with his second of the period, also shorthanded off a Carter Moran pass at 14:31.

After one period, Owen Sound 3 Belleville 1.

Second Period:

The Kodiaks got on track in the second period.  While on the power-play, a great individual effort from Nate Schultzkie brought Belleville within one at 8:19, followed by Zach Thompson with his second of the game, also on the power-play, off a Tim Zdimal feed at 13:15.  Sebastian Reynolds then gave the Kodiaks their first lead of the day with a sidearm snipe off a Daiki Shimizu pass 0:42 seconds later.

Tyson Morrison tied the game from the side of the net off a Jordan Caskenette pass at 16:17, but Koichi Nakamura gave Belleville the lead once again scoring off the ensuing faceoff just 0:06 seconds later.

Jake McNab's third of the game with just 0:37 seconds remaining would send the teams to the dressing room all tied up heading to the third.

After two periods, Owen Sound 5 Belleville 5.

(Photo courtesy of Dillon Dunlop Photography )

Third Period:

Jake McNabb continued his hot day giving the NorthStars the lead on the power-play, unassisted at 4:47.

Both teams went end to end for the majority of the period with both Jackson Hainer and Calum Leaver-Preyra coming up big in their respective nets, keeping this a one goal game.

With just 2:17 remaining, Carter Moran gave Owen Sound some insurance finishing a Jordan Caskenette pass, followed by a blast from Tyson Morrison off a Cohen Jennings pass at 18:50 to seal the deal.

Final score, Owen Sound 8 Belleville 5.

The Three Stars:

1. Jake McNabb 
2. Carter Moran 
3. Jackson Hainer