Merchants Stay Perfect, Pull Away From NorthStars in Third-Period Surge

By Gary Groob


The Brooklin Merchants (6-0) traveled northwest to face the Owen Sound NorthStars (4-2) in Ontario Series Lacrosse action Sunday afternoon, at the Bayshore Arena in Owen Sound, Ontario. 

The goaltending match-up had Thomas Kiazyk in net for Brooklin facing Calum Leaver-Preyra in net for the NorthStars. 

After trailing by a goal after the opening frame, the Brooklin Merchants found their stride in the second period and never looked back, using a balanced offensive attack and timely transition scoring to erase the deficit and seize control. Elijah Edwards sparked the comeback with a transition marker before Zach Miller gave Brooklin its first lead of the afternoon. Although Owen Sound briefly pulled even through Keagan McIlmoyle, late goals from Robbie Baxter and Andrew Dalton sent the Merchants into the final period with a two-goal cushion and all the momentum.

The third period quickly turned into an emotional and physical affair, with the teams combining for 41 penalty minutes as tensions boiled over. Once the dust settled, Brooklin's offense exploded, scoring four goals in a span of just 3:26 to put the game out of reach. Robbie Baxter led the charge with a goal and multiple assists during the decisive run, while Parker Pipher contributed a goal and two helpers. Behind a strong performance from Thomas Kiazyk and a dominant finish, the undefeated Merchants pulled away for a convincing 9-3 victory, improving to 6-0 on the season while handing the NorthStars their second loss of the year.

To The Game:

Owen Sound opened the scoring with Dawson McKenzie striking on the power-play unassisted at 8:08, followed by Jordan Caskenette converting a McKenzie feed at 9:02.

Owen Wills got one back for Brooklin with a low shot that found the net off a Zach Miller pass at 10:47.

After one period, Owen Sound 2 Brooklin 1.

Second Period;

The Merchants came out with more jump in the second.  Elijah Edwards tied the game in transition unassisted at 4:54, followed by Zach Miller finishing off a Parker Pipher feed at 6:47.

Keagan McIlmoyle tied the game for the NorthStars with an outside blast off a Jordan Caskenette pass at 13:16, but late tallies from Robbie Baxter and Andrew Dalton had the Merchants up by two heading to the third period. 

After two periods, Brooklin 5 Owen Sound 3.

Third Period:

A fiesty third period with the teams combining for 41 penalty minutes set the tone.

When things settled down, Brooklin took control of the play scoring four goals in 3:26.  Dale Faubert increased the Merchants lead with a blast off a Robbie Baxter pass at 12:59, followed by Baxter himself finishing a Parker Pipher pass at 15:02.  Pipher then converted a Baxter pass from in close at 15:47, followed by Zeke Wills with an outside laser off a Zach Miller pass at 16:25.

Final score, Brooklin 9 Owen Sound 3.

The Three Stars:

1. Robbie Baxter 
2. Zach Miller 
3. Thomas Kiazyk