Jennings Hat-Trick Powers NorthStars Past James Gang

By Gary Groob 

The Ennismore James Gang (2-7) visited the Owen Sound NorthStars (5-4) in Ontario Series Lacrosse action Sunday afternoon at the Julie McArthur Recreation Centre in Owen Sound, Ontario. 


The goaltending match-up had Andrew Kidd in net for Ennismore facing Gavin Clarke in net for Owen Sound. 

The Owen Sound NorthStars used a dominant second period and relentless pressure throughout the game to earn an 8-6 victory over the Ennismore James Gang on Sunday afternoon at the Julie McArthur Recreation Centre. Despite trailing 2-1 after the opening frame, the NorthStars responded with five goals in the middle period, led by a standout performance from Cohen Jennings, who recorded a hat trick and added multiple assists. Cam Sanderson chipped in with two goals, while Owen Sound's offense generated a staggering 64 shots on goal to control the pace of play.

Ennismore showed plenty of resilience, receiving two goals from Sebastian Reynolds and a pair from Liam Vollans, and battled back to within a single goal twice in the third period. However, Owen Sound answered each challenge, including a key power-play marker from Riley Thompson before Andrew Kelly sealed the victory with an empty-net goal in the final seconds. Gavin Clarke and the NorthStars' defense came up with timely stops when needed, helping Owen Sound improve to 5-4 on the season while Ennismore fell to 2-7.

To The Game:

Owen Sound got on the board first with Cohen Jennings converting a Cam Sanderson pass at 4:03, but a blast from Liam Vollans off a Nick DiLauro feed had the game tied at 16:54.  

Robbie McGrayne capitalized on a two man advantage finishing a Vollans feed at 19:14, giving the James Gang the lead at the break.

After one period, Ennismore 2 Owen Sound 1.
Shots on goal favored the NorthStars 19-10.

Second Period:

The NorthStars got rolling quickly in the second period with Cam Sanderson blasting a Cohen Jennings pass just 21 seconds, followed by Carter Moran with a quick stick also off a Jennings feed at 3:33.

Liam Vollans tied the game with a low to low laser off a Kyle Morely-Whitten pass at 7:15, but an unassisted tally from Cohen Jennings had the NorthStars up by one 35 seconds later.

Jennings then scored his third of the game on the power-play finishing a Mason Kreller pass at 15:37, followed by Cam Sanderson with an outside blast off an Eric Poirer feed at 16:26 for a three goal lead.

Sebastian Reynolds got the James Gang a little closer with a low laser to the corner off a Bryce Dennis feed at 17:55.

After two periods, Owen Sound 6 Ennismore 4.
Shots on goal favored the NorthStars 26-13.

Third Period:

Sebastian Reynolds got work quickly to start the third period converting a Bryce Dennis pass at 31 seconds, but Riley Thompson gave Owen Sound some breathing room with a power-play marker off a Cohen Jennings pass at 3:47.

Nick DiLauro again brought the James Gang within one with a shot from the top of the crease off a Sebastian Reynolds pass at 16:52, but an empty net goal from Andrew Kelly at 19:57 sealed the deal for the NorthStars. 

Final score, Owen Sound 8 Ennismore 6.
Shots on goal favored Owen Sound 19-5, for a game total of 64-28 in favor of the NorthStars. 

The Three Stars:

1. Cohen Jennings 
2. Andrew Kidd
3. Cam Sanderson