Overtime Thriller at IPSC Forces Game 5 at the ILA

By Mark Stehlin

The Brooklin Merchants and the Six Nations Rivermen will meet in a decisive game five on Monday night at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA) . The Rivermen broke the regular season and playoff pattern where neither team was able to register a win at home. It was by virtue of the Rivermen win in game three, at the ILA, that saw the first home team take a win.  The Brooklin Merchants followed suit on Sunday night at Iroquois Park Sports Centre (IPSC) with a thrilling 9-8 win in overtime that set the stage for a fifth and final game in the 2026 Ontario Series Lacrosse final.

“I liked our attitude and our effort. In that third period, when they tied the game we kept grinding and we kept working, no quit in this team. I told the guys that all they are guaranteed now is one sixty minute game, that is all they can control. We have to go out and work hard to enjoy what may come after a win,” said head coach Ryan Degerdon, after the win.

The teams came out with a torrid pace for the first 10 minutes, each side had chances and it was the Rivermen who scored first followed shortly after by a power play marker by Parker Pipher to knot the game at 1-1. Each side countered again before the buzzer, including a second one for Pipher and the game was 3-3 after the opening frame. Landen Sinfield fired a bullet from high in the slot that bulged the twine behind Rivermen starter Cam Dunkerley for a brief Merchants lead.

It took until the 10-minute mark of the second period before either team was able to register a goal. Dunkerley and Merchants starter Thomas Kiazyk both made critical saves for their sides. It was Max MacPherson for the Merchants after streaking down the left side who broke the logjam as he launched one past Dunkerley. The Merchants answered directly off the face-off and the teams were tied once again. Zac Carrigan, who scored six goals for the Merchants in that game three loss at the ILA, danced along the line of the crease and deftly deposited one into the net. Robbie Baxter added one late and the home side had a 6-4 lead after forty minutes.

It was Baxter again just 25 seconds into the final period who squeezed one past Dunkerley opening a three-goal gap in favour of the Merchants. That was enough for the Rivermen bench, that early goal in the third period set them on a new course. They were led by Ryden Bomberry with his second and third of the night. Not to be outdone, Ontario Series Lacrosse scoring champ, Thunder Hill added one of his own and by the time the clock showed 15:51 remaining the game was knotted at 7-7. Moments later Carter Page sent the Merchants ahead again before Braedon Saris added one to tie the game at 8-8 sending the teams to overtime. Saris suited up for the Merchants in 2025 and played an important role for the President Cup finalists.

It was Whitby Warrior graduate, and rookie Ryan Langille who would be the hero in extra time. He found himself in alone on Dunkerley and with the patience of a veteran faked him out twice before dropping it over his shoulder to give the home side the win and force game five on Monday night.