Parker Pipher Scores Late For Brooklin To Eke Out Victory

The Brooklin Merchants (4-1) faced the Hamilton Bengals (1-1) at the Dave Andreychuk Arena in Hamilton, Ontario, Friday evening in Ontario Series Lacrosse action. 

Both teams were playing well, and this would be a good early test for both.  Hamilton was coming off an 18-0 drubbing of Ennismore last week, while the Merchants had recent victories over Ennismore, Collingwood, and Six Nations. 

The goaltending match-up had Deacan Knott in net for Brooklin facing Lucas Nagy in net for the Bengals. 

Although Hamilton started quickly scoring just four minutes into the game, Brooklin took over the first from that point on.  Five different scorers in the period showed just how balanced and offense Brooklin has.  Up 2-1, the Merchants exploded for three goals in 1:47 to end the period.

Hamilton came back strong in the second with five of the next six goals, including two shorthanded goals, to tie the game.   Not to be outdone, Brooklin came back with a couple of power-play markers to go to the dressing room with a slim 9-8 lead.

The third period was one for the ages, with both teams getting good opportunities.   Brooklin would take the lead and mere seconds later Hamilton would tie the game.  However, Parker Pipher became the hero for Brooklin scoring a late power-play goal for the 12-11 victory.

To The Game:

The Hamilton Bengals put pressure on Brooklin immediately.  They were rewarded when Dawson Brown scored with a shot to the corner at 4:04.

Brooklin tied the game with a shorthanded goal from Alexis Simard, who converted a Ryan McCrory pass in transition at 9:34, followed by Will MacLeod blasting a power-play goal off a Parker Pipher pass at 15:43.

Brooklin exploded with three goals in 1:47 to end the period, taking control of the game.  Robert Morgan scored unassisted at 17:43, followed by Devon Pipher converting a Darren Elliott pass at 18:33.  Eddie Renaud then added another unassisted tally with just 0:30 seconds left in the period for a four goal lead.  
After one period, Brooklin 5 Hamilton 1.

Second Period:

Whatever was said in the Bengals dressing room lit a fire under the team.  

Josh Gilray opened the scoring in transition converting a Ryan Haigh pass at 2:47, followed by Tye Argent with a blast off a Trevor McDonald feed at 3:36.

Will MacLeod got Brooklin back on the board with a low to low shot off a Parker Pipher pass at 6:55, but a pair of shorthanded goals by Hamilton's Tye Argent and Joey Cupido brought the game within one goal.

Josh Gilray tied the game briefly with a goal at 10:04, but Will MacLeod answered for the Merchants just 0:32 seconds later to regain the lead.

Parker Pipher added to the Brooklin lead with a power-play goal off a Will MacLeod pass at 15:11, followed by Zac Carrigan, also on the power-play, with a sidearm snipe from in front at 16:43.

Hamilton made a push at the end of the period being rewarded with two late goals.  Mitch Zulian converted a Ryan Haigh pass at 16:54, followed by a power-play goal by Gareth Haigh unassisted at 19:00.

After two periods, Brooklin 9 Hamilton 8.

Third Period:

The Bengals tied the game when Gareth Haigh was able to beat Deacan Knott to the shortside off a Duncan Carte pass at 5:07.

Devon Pipher gave Brooklin the lead once again with a blast on the power-play off an Eddie Renaud pass at 8:01, but Dawson Brown evened the game with a low to low laser off a Gareth Haigh pass 0:25 seconds later.

Will MacLeod put Brooklin in front again with a howitzer from the outside off an Eddie Renaud pass at 10:08, but once again Hamilton answered.  Ryan Haigh scored off the faceoff just 0:07 seconds later to even the game 11-11.

With just 0:30 left Parker Pipher scored a power-play goal off a Devon Pipher pass to win the game for the Merchants. 

Final score, Brooklin 12 Hamilton 11.

The Three Stars:

1. Parker Pipher 
2. Will MacLeod 
3. Gareth Haigh