Rivermen Outlast Bengals, Now Set To Face Merchants In Final

(Photos courtesy of Gary Groob)

The Hamilton Bengals (2-3) visited the Six Nations Rivermen (3-2) in the fifth and deciding semi-final game in Ontario Series Lacrosse playoff action, at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Haggersville, Ontario Monday night. 

The goaltending match-up had Aden Walsh in net for the Bengals facing Tye Belanger in net for the Rivermen. 

The Rivermen set the pace early with David Anderson scoring two quick goals.  Jumping out to a 7-3 lead early in the second, it looked like Six Nations was going to run away with the game.  However, the Bengals would have something to say about that.

The Bengals defense woke up midway through the game, while the offense also found it's footing.  Carson Moyer and Shane Halliwell scored to make it 7-5 going into the third period.  

Although Zach Herreweyers scored to give the Rivermen a three goal lead early in the third, the combination of Moyer and Halliwell struck again to make this a one goal game heading down the stretch.  Six Nations stormed back with a pair of their own late in the frame seeming to ice the game, but a Jaden Patterson marker with 1:48 left, kept the crowd on the edge of their seats.  

Tye Belanger and the Rivermen defense were up to the challenge, as Six Nations held on for a 10-8 victory advancing to the Ontario Series Lacrosse finals, and a berth in the President's Cup.

To The Game:

The Rivermen got on the board first a pair from David Anderson.   The first was an absolute howitzer to the top corner at 1:53, followed by a low to low shot off a Thunder Hill feed at 2:24.

Hamilton responded with a blast from Jaden Patterson at 3:13, but Greg Elijah-Brown replied with a quick stick from in close off a Anahalihs Doxtator pass at 9:18.

Six Nations increased their lead with a great individual effort from Thunder Hill off a Jordan Goddard pass at 13:22, but the Bengals stormed back with Alec Tamas finding the back of the net off a long lead pass from Aden Walsh in transition at 14:58.

The Rivermen got back on the board with Brooker Muir scoring from the top of the crease converting a Ty Logan pass at 17:22.

After one period, Six Nations 5 Hamilton 2.

Second Period:

Shane Halliwell got the Bengals rolling with a blast off a Zach Sunderland pass at 0:53 seconds, but Danton Miller stopped their momentum with a low to low shot off a Zach Herreweyers feed at 2:21.

Ty Logan increased the Six Nations lead to three converting a Thunder Hill pass at 4:33, but a strong effort from Carson Moyer on the power-play would bring the Bengals back within three.

Shane Halliwell gave Hamilton life near the end of the period scoring from in close off a Tye Argent pass at 14:03.

After two periods, Six Nations 7 Hamilton 5.

Third Period:

Zach Herreweyers gave Six Nations a little breathing room early in the frame converting a Thunder Hill pass from in close at 4:41, but goals from Carson Moyer and Shane Halliwell brought Hamilton within one with 6:49 left to keep it anyone's game in this epic series.

However, Jordan Goddard and Zach Herreweyers would all but dash the Bengals hopes with just 3:28 remaining. 

Jaden Patterson brought Hamilton within two, but the strong defense as well as the goaltending of Tye Belanger preserved the game and series win for Six Nations. 

Final score, Six Nations 10 Hamilton 8.

The Three Stars:

1. Zach Herreweyers 
2. Shane Halliwell 
3. Thunder Hill 

Six Nations wins the best of five series 3-2, now facing the Brooklin Merchants in the Ontario Series Lacrosse finals.