Rivermen Draw First Blood; Merchants Determined to Regroup for Game Two

By Mark Stehlin

Due to a scheduling quirk, the Brooklin Merchants hosted the Six Nations Rivermen in game one of the Ontario Series Lacrosse Final, despite finishing second overall. This presented an opportunity to grab a 1-0 lead in this best of five series in the friendly confines of Iroquois Park Sports Centre. By the time the buzzer sounded the Rivermen had turned the tables and left the rink with an 8-4 win, and headed home to the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA) for games two and three.

“It was a lost opportunity tonight, having the first game at home we had a chance to set the tone for the series. I didn’t think we were ready, some sloppy play and a lack of creativity on offense and some miscommunication on defense cost us the game. Now, listen it is a best of five and it’s only one game. Our guys have the energy, talent and the skill to get the job done and I know we will be ready for Sunday night (game two at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena),” said head coach Ryan Degerdon following the game.

The game was sloppy to start from both sides, each team missed simple passes and threw balls away to their opponents. It took almost seven minutes for the first goal to be registered. It would be David Anderson for the Rivermen who shot one past Merchants starter, Thomas Kiazyk. Kiazyk plies his trade with the Saskatchewan Rush in the National Lacrosse League. The teams settled down as the clock ticked on and it was 2-2 before the Rivermen scored two late for a 4-2 lead after twenty minutes.

In the middle of the second frame, the Merchants had a golden opportunity with a two-man advantage for almost two minutes. They could not capitalize despite being convinced that a shot did get behind Rivermen starter, Cam Dunkerley. The referee to Dunkerley’s left had a better view and waved it off. It was Kiazyk who stole the show in net as he made a number of brilliant saves including one on a streaking Anderson. It was Anderson who led his team tom the win with two goals and two assists. Finally, with two minutes on the clock, rookie Lucas Littlejohn fired one past Dunkerley on the right side to put the Merchants on the board. With a 2-1 period lead it was 6-3 for the visitors after two periods.

In the third, it was more of the same for the home team. While Kiazyk continued to keep his team in the game and the offense created a few more chances it would not be enough. Anderson, with his second of the night, fired a bullet at Kiazyk that tricked into the net with just over a minute into the third. Each side managed one more goal and it ended 8-4 in favour of the Rivermen who take a 1-0 lead in this best three of five series.

The good news for Brooklin is they defeated Six Nations at the ILA in the regular season. With a stronger start and more focus they can bring their brand of lacrosse on the road and get back in the series. Game two is Sunday August 9 at 7 pm and game three is Friday August 14 at 8 pm.