Rivermen Stifle Merchants To Take Game Three

Written by Gary Groob  - All Lacrosse All The Time

The Brooklin Merchants traveled west to face the Six Nations Rivermen in game three of the Ontario Series Lacrosse finals at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Hagersville, Ontario. 

The series was tied 1-1 because of a defensive gem put on by the Rivermen in a 6-5 victory.  Both Drew Hutchison and Deacan Knott were stellar in their respective nets during this game, with Zach Herrewyers scoring the winning goal with just 3:03 remaining in the game.

The goaltending match-up had Deacan Knott in net for Brooklin facing Dusty Hill in net for the Rivermen.

Six Nations scored early and often in this game.   Led by Zach Herrewyers (4g,2a) and Sam LeClair (3g,3a) the Rivermen got out to a 5-1 first period lead never looking back.   

The Merchants tried to comeback scoring four times in the second, but Six Nations was equal to the challenge.   

The Third had Brooklin get an early goal, but was shut down by a stingy Rivermen defense, not allowing another talley the rest of the way.  Six Nations takes game three 11-6.

To The Game:

Danton Miller opened the scoring for Six Nations with a blast off a Sam LeClair pass at 1:10, followed by a power-play goal by Zach Herrewyers also off a LeClair feed at 2:13.  Herrewyers continued the assault with another marker unassisted at at 6:46.

Zac Carrigan answered for Brooklin with a low to low shot to the far corner off a Parker Pipher pass at 11:23, but Sam LeClair got the Rivermen back on track firing a laser off a Zach Herrewyers pass at 13:56.  Greg Elijah-Brown added one more for Six Nations off a Herrewyers feed at 17:43.

After one period, Six Nations 5 Brooklin 1.

Second Period:

Sam LeClair added to the Rivermen lead with a laser off a Ross Hill pass at 3:44, followed by Zach Herrewyers converting a Ross Hill pass shorthanded at 6:42.

The Merchants mounted their comeback with Parker Pipher scoring off a Zac Carrigan pass at 9:38, followed by an Adam Perroni goal unassisted in transition at 12:45.

Wake:Riat Bowhunter blasted a shot to the shortside off a Sam LeClair pass at 15:13, but Zac Carrigan answered with a Power-play goal off a Devon Pipher pass at 17:32.

Zach Herrewyers' fourth goal of the game gave the Rivermen a five goal lead at 19:24, but Zac Carrigan's unassisted talley 0:21 seconds later gave the Merchants momentum heading to the third.

After two periods, Six Nations 9 Brooklin 5.

Third Period:

Kellen Pulera continued the Merchant's momentum with a goal off a Parker Pipher pass at 7:06 to bring Brooklin within three goals.

Wes Whitlow stopped the Brooklin mini-run with a blast off a Zane Dalpe pass at 7:42, followed by Sam LeClair's third of the game off a Jordan Goddard pass at 9:52.

The last half of the period was a defensive struggle with end to end action.  Both goalies were strong throughout.

Final score, Six Nations 11 Brooklin 6.

The Three Stars:

1. Zach Herrewyers 
2. Sam LeClair 
3. Zac Carrigan 

Six Nations takes a 2-1 lead in the best of five final.  Game four is at the Iroquois Park Sports Complex in Whitby, Ontario Sunday evening at 7:30 pm.