Merchants' Second-Period Surge Overwhelms Bengals in 14-6 Victory

By Gary Groob 


The Hamilton Bengals (5-6) traveled east to face the Brooklin Merchants (10-1) in Ontario Series Lacrosse action Saturday evening at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby, Ontario. 

The goaltending match-up had Sam Haines for the Bengals facing Thomas Kiazyk in net for Brooklin.

Brooklin's depth and transition game proved too much for Hamilton, as the Merchants took control in the second period with a decisive five-goal run before cruising to a convincing 14-6 victory. Jack Oldman (2 goals, 3 assists), Parker Pipher (2 goals, 4 assists), Carter Page (2 goals, 1 assist), Cole Tucker (2 goals), Robbie Baxter (1 goal, 3 assists), Zac Carrigan (2 goals, 3 assists), and Carson Christie (1 goal 2 assists) all played key roles in a balanced offensive attack. Thomas Kiazyk turned aside several quality chances as Brooklin improved to 10-1 on the season.

Hamilton showed flashes offensively despite the loss, led by Brendan Campbell with two goals and Curtis Ward with two goals, while Zach Terry added a pair of his own, including a shorthanded marker during a brief third-period surge. Sam Haines faced heavy pressure throughout the night as the Bengals were unable to recover after Brooklin's dominant middle frame. The Merchants outshot Hamilton 51-37 and continued to strengthen their grip near the top of the Ontario Series Lacrosse standings. 

To The Game:

The Merchants opened the scoring with Eddy Ferrede scoring off a turnover unassisted at 5:43, followed by Robbie Baxter finishing a Parker Pipher feed at 14:22.  Zac Carrigan then added to the Merchants total with a bounced shot from the outside off a Jack Oldman pass at 16:35.

Hamilton finally got on the board with Brendan Campbell blasting a Nolan Marshall pass at 19:30.

After one period, Brooklin 3 Hamilton 1.
Shots on goal favored the Bengals 17-13.

Second Period:

Cole Tucker opened the second period scoring in transition with a low to low shot off a Carson Christie pass at 4:16, but Curtis Ward answered back on the power-play with a sidearm snipe from the side of the net off a Nolan Marshall pass at 8:12 for the Bengals. 

The Merchants then took over with a five goal run.  Cole Tucker increased Brooklin's lead with a blast off a Jack Oldman pass at 8:58, followed by Parker Pipher on the power-play with an in close blast off a Robbie Baxter feed at 10:41.

Carter Page added another transition goal with a blast off a Dale Faubert pass at 14:37, followed by Jack Oldman scoring off a Carson Christie pass at 17:33.  Kelvin Jonathan then quick sticked a Zac Carrigan feed at 18:38.

Zach Terry finally stopped the bleeding with a blast off an Andy Campbell pass at 19:41.

After two periods, Brooklin 9 Hamilton 3.
Shots on goal favored the Merchants 22-9.

Third Period:

Parker Pipher opened the third period scoring from the top of the crease off an Elijah Edwards pass at 6:13, followed by Carson Christie off a Jack Oldman pass at 7:37.

The Bengals fought back with a pair of shorthanded goals. Zach Terry scored off an Andy Campbell pass at 10:21, followed by Brendan Campbell finishing a Curtis Ward feed 44 seconds later.

The Merchants replied with a pair of their own.  Carter Page added a power-play marker off a Zac Carrigan feed at 11:23, followed by Jack Oldman in transition unassisted at 13:10.

Curtis Ward kept Hamilton in the game with a power-play goal unassisted at 13:50, but Zac Carrigan replied with a blast off a Robbie Baxter pass at 17:32.

Final score, Brooklin 14 Hamilton 6.
Shots on goal favored the Merchants 16-11, for a game total of 51-37 in favor of Brooklin. 

The Three Stars:

1. Parker Pipher 
2. Jack Oldman 
3. Curtis Ward