James Gang Capitalize Early, Outlast Bengals in Sunday Showdown

By Gary Groob 

The Hamilton Bengals (1-4) traveled east to face the Ennismore James Gang (2-4) in Ontario Series Lacrosse action Sunday afternoon at the Lakefield Arena in Lakefield, Ontario. 

The goaltending match-up had Sam Haines in net for the Bengals facing Andrew Kidd in net for the James Gang. 

Ennismore jumped out early and never fully surrendered control, riding a dominant first-period surge to a 9-7 victory over Hamilton on Sunday afternoon in Lakefield. After Carson Moyer's power-play goal tied the game at one, the James Gang exploded for four unanswered goals, fueled by the trio of Liam Vollans, Robbie McGrayne, and Nick DiLauro. Vollans struck twice in the opening frame while McGrayne and DiLauro orchestrated the offense, helping Ennismore build a 5-2 lead after twenty minutes despite being narrowly outshot. The Bengals managed to halt the momentum late in the period with Nolan Marshall's goal, but the damage had already been done.

Hamilton refused to go away, controlling much of the play and finishing with a commanding 60-42 advantage in shots on goal. Brendan Campbell, Jaden Patterson, and Nolan Marshall helped the Bengals chip away at the deficit, pulling within a single goal early in the third period. However, every Hamilton push was met with an answer from the James Gang. Vollans completed his hat trick, while Mason Tardiff, DiLauro, and McGrayne delivered key third-period markers to preserve the lead. Despite a determined late rally from Zach Terry and Marshall, Ennismore's balanced attack and timely scoring proved enough to secure the 9-7 win.

To The Game:

Ennismore got a quick start with Liam Vollans scoring from in close off a Robbie McGrayne pass at 0:46 seconds, but Carson Moyer would score on the power-play to tie the game at 4:18.

The James Gang exploded for the next four goals to break the game wide open.  Bryce Dennis quick sticked a Robbie McGrayne pass shorthanded at 8:48, followed by a power-play marker from McGrayne himself finishing a Nick DiLauro pass at 11:30.

Ennismore kept pouring it on with Liam Vollans scoring his second of the afternoon off a DiLauro feed at 13:25, followed by Sebastian Reynolds also blasting a Nick DiLauro pass at 15:09 for a four goal cushion.

Nolan Marshall stopped the James Gang run with a pretty goal from in close off a Jaden Patterson pass at 19:33.

After one period, Ennismore 5 Hamilton 2.
Shots on goal favored Hamilton 21-20

Second Period:

Hamilton got rolling immediately in the second with Brendan Campbell scoring off a Ben Wittich feed at 3:02, but Liam Vollans answered with his third of the game off a nice pass from Adam Churchill at 8:40.

The Bengals kept pressing and were rewarded when Jaden Patterson scored on the power-play off a Tye Argent pass at 18:13.

After two periods, Ennismore 6 Hamilton 4.
Shots on goal favored Hamilton 22-12.

Third Period:

Hamilton got within one with a bounced shot from Brendan Campbell off a Jaden Patterson pass at 1:26, but Mason Tardiff gave Ennismore a bit of breathing room with an outside blast off a Liam Vollans pass at 7:28.

Nick DiLauro added a power-play marker off a Robbie McGrayne pass at 10:52, followed by McGrayne himself finishing a DiLauro feed from the top of the crease at 14:34.

A final push from Hamilton saw Zach Terry score off a Jaden Patterson pass at 16:33.  Nolan Marshall also finished a Patterson feed at 19:03, but it wasnt enough as Ennismore held on for the victory. 

Final score, Ennismore 9 Hamilton 7.
Shots on goal favored Hamilton 17-10, for a game total of 60-42 in favor of the Bengals. 

The Three Stars:

1. Nick DiLauro 
2. Liam Vollans 
3. Jaden Patterson