Kodiaks Storm Back with Four-Goal Third Period to Stun Bengals

By Gary Groob 

The Hamilton Bengals (1-3) traveled east to face the Belleville Kodiaks (1-4) in Ontario Series Lacrosse action Saturday evening at the Wally Dever Arena in Belleville, Ontario. 

The goaltending match-up had Mateo Beaudin in net for the Bengals facing Gavin Williamson in net for the Kodiaks. 

After trailing by two goals entering the third period, Belleville mounted an impressive comeback to beat Hamilton 6-5. The Bengals controlled much of the first forty minutes behind goals from Eddie Renaud, Colin Maher, Colton Armitage, and Josh Sanchez, carrying a 4-2 advantage into the final frame. Belleville kept within striking distance thanks to second-period markers from Brayden McGregor and Will White, but Hamilton appeared firmly in control with twenty minutes remaining.

The third period belonged entirely to the Kodiaks. Nathan Pouliot and Nolan Downey struck just over two minutes apart to erase the deficit, setting the stage for a dramatic momentum swing. While killing a penalty, Belleville delivered the decisive blow with back-to-back shorthanded goals from Tim Zdimal and Nolan Rutty just 19 seconds apart, turning a tie game into a two-goal Kodiaks lead. Hamilton pushed back late with Jaden Patterson finding the back of the net in the final two minutes, but Belleville held firm the rest of the way to complete a thrilling four-goal third-period rally and earn a hard-fought 6-5 victory.

To The Game:

The only score of the first period came when Eddie Renaud blasted an outside laser off an Andy Campbell pass at 7:50, giving the Bengals the early lead.

After one period, Hamilton 1 Belleville 0.

Second Period:

The Kodiaks finally solved Mateo Beaudin with a low laser to the corner from Brayden McGregor off a Jared Downey pass at 4:27, but a goal from Colin Maher at 7:30 off an Andy Campbell feed gave Hamilton the lead once again.

Will White tied the game for the Kodiaks with a low to high blast off a Tim Zdimal pass at 10:11, but Colton Armitage gave the lead back to the Bengals finishing an Eddie Renaud pass at 12:25.  

Josh Sanchez opened a two goal lead for Hamilton with an outside shot off a Ben Wittich feed at 15:33.

After two periods, Hamilton 4 Belleville 2.

Third Period:

Belleville came out on fire in the third period with Nathan Pouliot converting a Blake Maracle pass at 1:20, followed by Nolan Downey with a blast off a Caleb Connell feed at 3:38 to tie the game.  

Two shorthanded goals from the Kodiaks changed the complexion of the game.  Tim Zdimal gave the Kodiaks the lead with a low to low laser off a Nathan Pouliot pass at 7:48, followed by Nolan Rutty with a transition marker off a Cain Brown pass at 8:07.

Jaden Patterson brought Hamilton within a goal with a bounced shot that found the back of the net off an Andy Campbell pass at 18:53, but the Bengals couldn't find the equalizer. 

Final score, Belleville 6 Hamilton 5.

The Three Stars:

1. Tim Zdimal 
2. Gavin Williamson 
3. Mateo Beaudin