Rivermen Outlast Bengals To Force Game Five

The Six Nations Rivermen (2-2) visited the Hamilton Bengals (2-2) Saturday evening in Ontario Series Lacrosse playoff action at the Dave Andreychuk Arena in Hamilton, Ontario. 

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

In a must win game, the Six Nations Rivermen's defence played their most stingy game of the series.  Led by Danton Miller (3g,0a), the Rivermen would lead for all but 4:35 in this game, never trailing. 

The second period was wide open, with both teams having some offensive success.  Six Nations opened up a three goal lead in the frame, but led by Carson Moyer (3g,2a) the Bengals clawed their way back within one goal.

The third was a defensive struggle with the teams exchanging just one goal each in the period.  Both Aden Walsh for Hamilton, and Tye Belanger for Six Nations wouldn't allow another goal.  The period was back and forth throughout, in this nail-biting affair.  The Six Nations Rivermen were able to hold on for an 8-7 victory, forcing a deciding game five Monday night at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena. 

To The Game:

The Six Nations Rivermen jumped out to a lead on the power-play when Danton Miller was able to beat Aden Walsh to the glove side at 1:36, but Tye Argent answered quickly with a marker for the Bengals off a Josh Gilray pass at 3:01.

Mason Hill regained the lead for the Rivermen off a Greg Elijah-Brown pass at 6:00, followed by Aiden Fearn scoring unassisted in transition at 7:30.

Trevor McDonald brought the Bengals within one goal with a blast off a Jaden Patterson pass at 7:59, but Danton Miller's second of the period put Six Nations up by two at the break.

After one period, Six Nations 4 Hamilton 2.

Second Period:

Shane Halliwell opened the second period scoring for Hamilton with an in close shot off a Carson Moyer pass at 2:17, but a shorthanded goal off a Tyson Bomberry pass, followed by a blast from David Anderson, opened up a three goal cushion for the Rivermen at 7:11.

Hamilton came back strong.  Andrew Hoarsely scored on a great individual effort unassisted at 9:45, followed by Carson Moyer also with an unassisted tally at 12:03.

Danton Miller gave the Rivermen a bit of breathing room scoring on the power-play off a Greg Elijah-Brown feed at 12:58, but Carson Moyer's second of the night would bring the game within one once again at 15:15.

After two periods, Six Nations 7 Hamilton 6.

Third Period:

Anahalihs Doxtator opened the third period scoring with an unassisted marker at 2:50, but Carson Moyer answered with his third of the game off a Tye Argent pass at 8:52.

Both teams went back and forth throughout the rest of the period but Aden Walsh and Tye Belanger were up to the task coming up with huge saves.  Neither team was able to solve the goaltending the rest of the way.  Six Nations held on to force a deciding game five.

Final score, Six Nations 8 Hamilton 7.

The Three Stars:

1. Danton Miller 
2. Carson Moyer 
3. Tye Belanger