Sanderson's OT Heroics Cap Stunning NorthStars Comeback in Game One Thriller

By Gary Groob 

The Collingwood Cruise faced the Owen Sound NorthStars in Ontario Series Lacrosse playoff action at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Arena in Owen Sound, Ontario. 

The goaltending match-up had Dante Mancini in net for the Cruise facing Calum Leaver-Preyra in net for the NorthStars. 

Owen Sound erased a four-goal deficit completing a dramatic comeback Friday night, as Cam Sanderson scored just 52 seconds into overtime to lift the NorthStars to an 8-7 victory over the Collingwood Cruise in Game One of their Ontario Series Lacrosse playoff series at Harry Lumley Bayshore Arena.

Collingwood controlled much of the opening half, building a 5-2 first-period lead before extending it to 6-2 early in the second on Braydon Hickey's second goal of the night. Owen Sound refused to go away, however, closing the gap with three unanswered goals late in the middle frame before Jake McNabb completed his hat trick early in the third to tie the game. Josh Sanchez briefly restored the Cruise lead, but Cam Sanderson answered late to force overtime, where he buried Jordan Caskenette's feed for the game-winner.

To The Game:

The NorthStars got on the board first with Jake McNabb converting a Wyatt Barfoot pass at 4:07, but Graham Bergsma replied with an outside blast off an Eddie Renaud feed at 5:02.

Jordan McMillen regained the lead for Owen Sound in transition with a low shot that found the corner off a Noah Milsap pass at 7:34, but Chase Forsythe again tied the game from in close off a Bergsma pass at 9:39.

Jordan Roberts gave the Cruise their first lead of the night with a sidearm snipe off an Evan Gray pass at 14:05, followed by Eddie Renaud with a bounced shot off a Forsythe feed at 16:18.  Braydon Hickey then increased the Collingwood lead to three with a shot from the side of the net off a Jaxon Bisson pass at 19:12.

After one period Collingwood 5 Owen Sound 2.
Shots on goal favored the NorthStars 15-13.

Second Period:

The Cruise picked up where they left off with Braydon Hickey finding the back of the net off a Christian Cliff pass at 54 seconds.

After the majority of the period going end to end, Owen Sound finally found their mojo.

Cohen Jennings got the NorthStars on the board finishing a Rob Kloepfer pass from in close at 16:36, followed by Jake McNabb's second of the game with a low laser off a Cam Sanderson pass at 18:40.  Aiden Doig then kept the momentum going with a blast off a Kloepfer feed with just 13 seconds left to make this a one goal game. 

After two periods, Collingwood 6 Owen Sound 5.
Shots on goal favored the NorthStars 17-14.

Third Period:

Jake McNabb tied the game to open the third period converting a Mason Kreller pass at 4:48.

 After a lot of back and forth play, Josh Sanchez responded with a low to low bounced shot off a Braydon Hickey feed at 13:54 to give the Cruise the lead, but Cam Sanderson again tied the game with a blast that caught the shortside off a Jordan Caskenette pass at 14:18, setting the stage for an intense finish to the game.

Regulation could solve anything as the game headed to overtime. 

After Regulation, Owen Sound 7 Collingwood 7.
Shots on goals were tied 13-13.

Overtime:

It didn't take long in the overtime period, Cam Sanderson quick sticked a Jordan Caskenette feed into the top corner just 52 seconds into the frame for the Owen Sound victory. 

Final score, Owen Sound 8 Collingwood 7.
Shots on goal favored the NorthStars 2-1, for a game total of 48-40 in favor of the NorthStars. 

The Three Stars:

1. Cam Sanderson 
2. Jake McNabb 
3. Braydon Hickey 

The Owen Sound NorthStars lead the best of three series 1-0.  

Game two is Saturday evening at the Eddie Bush Arena in Collingwood, Ontario at 5 pm.