Six Nations With Statement Win Takes Over First Place

By Gary Groob 

The Brooklin Merchants (8-1) traveled west to face the Six Nations Rivermen (9-2) in Ontario Series Lacrosse action Saturday evening at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Haggersville, Ontario.

The goaltending match-up had Thomas Kiazyk in net for Brooklin facing Cam Dunkerley in net for the Rivermen. 

The Six Nations Rivermen used a dominant third-period performance to hand the Brooklin Merchants their first loss of the season, pulling away for a convincing 13-8 victory Saturday night at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena.

After a tightly contested first 40 minutes, the Rivermen exploded for seven third-period goals, fueled by balanced scoring and relentless transition play. Jackson Webster led the attack with a hat-trick, while Marshall Powless scored twice and Greg Elijah-Brown, Thunder Hill, Ryan Andrews, Mason Hill and Braedon Saris all contributed to the offensive outburst. Cam Dunkerley was solid between the pipes, helping Six Nations improve to 9-2 on the season.

Brooklin was paced by Lucas Littlejohn, who put on an impressive offensive display with four goals, while Glen Thur added a pair. Despite battling back within striking distance late in the second period, the Merchants couldn't contain the Rivermen's relentless attack in the final frame, falling to 8-1 on the campaign.

To The Game:

The Rivermen got on the board first when Jackson Webster fired a laser to the corner off a Rodd Squire pass at 1:50, but Glen Thur evened the score converting a Jared Norris pass in transition at 4:44.

Lucas Littlejohn gave the Merchants the lead with a low to low blast off a Quinn Hyland feed at 5:47, but Rodd Squire again knotted the game with an outside blast off an Anahalihs Doxtator pass 13 seconds later.

Marshall Powless put the Rivermen back in front with an outside missile to the corner off a Thunder Hill feed at 9:44, followed by Alex Kew in transition off a Brooker Muir feed at 17:29.

After one period, Six Nations 4 Brooklin 2.

Second Period:

Brooklin opened the second period scoring on the power-play with Glen Thur converting a Lucas Littlejohn pass at 4:44, but a great effort from Anahalihs Doxtator diving from behind the net unassisted restored the two goal lead for Six Nations at 11:15.

Carter Page got the Merchants within one goal with a low to high blast off a Lucas Littlejohn pass at 18:59, but a buzzer beater from Greg Elijah-Brown restored the two goal cushion at 19:58.

After two periods, Six Nations 6 Brooklin 4.

Third Period:

The Rivermen came out on a mission in the third period with Ryan Andrews scoring unassisted at 36 seconds, followed by Jackson Webster with an outside blast off a Brooker Muir feed in transition at 3:37.

Thunder Hill then blasted a low to high laser from in close off a Greg Elijah-Brown pass at 4:04, followed by Mason Hill adding a transition marker off a Ty Logan pass at 6:04 to open a six goal lead.

The Merchants tried to get back in the game with Lucas Littlejohn and Jared Norris scoring 40 seconds apart, but Braedon Saris and Marshall Powless answered 22 seconds apart to keep the Rivermen in control.

Brooklin kept fighting with Lucas Littlejohn scoring off a Jared Norris pass at 13:56, but Jackson Webster replied off a Braedon Saris pass 38 seconds later.

Littlejohn added his fourth of the game for the Merchants at 17:42, but it was too little, too late.

Final score, Six Nations 13 Brooklin 8.

The Three Stars:

1. Jackson Webster 
2. Lucas Littlejohn 
3. Greg Elijah-Brown