The Merchants Win A Nail-Biter With A Strong Third Period

Written by Gary Groob  - All Lacrosse All The Time 

The Clearview Crushers (3-4) visited the red hot Brooklin Merchants (6-1) Friday evening in Ontario Series Lacrosse action at the Iroquois Park Sports Complex. 

Clearview was coming off a weekend in which they beat Ennismore twice.  Led by Gareth Haigh (8g,16a), Graham Bergsma (2g,15a), Josh Gilray (6g,9a) and Angus Rawding (7g,4a).

Brooklin has been a force all season led by Eddie Renaud (13g,21a), Devon Pipher (12g,15a), Parker Pipher (11g,14a), Christian Watts (9g,14a) and Kellen Pulera (9g,11a).

The goaltending match-up had Lucas Coote in net for Brooklin facing Jackson Brown in net for Clearview.

Clearview got up early and stayed in the lead for most of the game.  The Crushers looked good getting out to a 5-3 lead after one.  The second was a whirlwind of goals with end to end action resulting in twelve goals all together (7 for Clearview, 5 for Brooklin).

The Merchants had a different look about them when they entered in the third period, all business and quite focused.  Brooklin outscored the Crushers 7-2, with three coming on the power-play.  With 7:00 to go Zac Carrigan tied the game for the Merchants setting the stage for a heart-stopping ending.

The last seven minutes was end to end action with Jackson Brown and Deacan Knott making big save after bigger save to keep the game knotted up.  With only 0:34 seconds left, Brooklin got it's first and only lead of the night.  Darren Elliott converted a Christian Watts pass from in front for the winning talley.  The Merchants win 15-14 in a very entertaining affair.

To The Game:

Clearview got on the board first with Gareth Haigh scoring from in close off a Zach Thompson pass at 0:42 seconds, followed by a shorthanded goal by Nile Cyr off a long lead pass from Jackson Brown at 3:33. Cole Hanrahan added to the Crushers lead beating  Lucas Coote off a Gareth Haigh feed at 11:57 for a 3-0 lead.  

The Merchants got on the board with Zac Carrigan blasting a shot to the corner off a Kellen Pulera pass just seconds later, followed by Eddie Renaud scoring on the power-play converting a Parker Pipher feed at 15:13.

Clearview regained their two goal lead when Graham Bergsma wired an Angus Rawding pass at 17:13, followed by Ryan Haigh converting a Bergsma feed as well at 18:24.  

Eddie Renaud got the Merchants back in the game with blast from in close off a Tyler Goodchild pass at 19:14.

After one period, Clearview 5 Brooklin 3.

Second Period:

A plethora of goals, with end to end action in this period. 

Clearview got on the board quickly with Cole Hanrahan wiring an Adam Hawrelak pass at 0:41 seconds, followed by Gareth Haigh with a howitzer off a pass Zach Thompson pass on the power-play at 3:20.

Brooklin answered back with Christian Watts converting a Parker Pipher pass at 4:03, but the Crushers stormed back with Jake Gilmore scoring from in front just 0:31 seconds later.  

Christian Watts added his second of the night off a Zac Carrigan feed at 4:51, but again Clearview answered immediately with Adam Hawrelak finishing a Gareth Haigh pass at 5:53.

Brooklin Changed goalies from Lucas Coote to Deacan Knott. 

The Merchants got on the board again with Kellen Pulera firing an Eddie Renaud feed at 6:54, but the Crushers came back with Adam Hawrelak sneaking one home again at 10:40.

Brooklin added a shorthanded goal with Justin Bragg finding the far corner from in close off a Cody Hamley pass at 12:59, but Clearview again answered quickly within Cole Hanrahan finishing a Zach Thompson pass 0:25 seconds later on the same power-play. 

Tyler Goodchild scored his second of the night for Brooklin converting a Zac Carrigan pass at 15:35, but again was answered by the Crushers when Garrth Haigh scored from in close off a Graham Bergsma pass at 17:21.

After two periods, Clearview 12 Brooklin 8.

Third Period:

Brooklin opened the third period scoring a couple of power-play goals.  Darren Elliott converted a Christian Watts pass at 1:50, followed by an absolute howitzer from Eddie Renaud off a Zac Carrigan pass at 5:33.

Clearview re-established their three goal lead with Angus Rawding potting a Gareth Haigh pass at 6:10.  However the momentum would change when Zac Carrigan intercepted a Clearview clearing pass to go in all alone at 7:50 unassisted, followed by Christian Watts bringing the game within one off a Darren Elliott pass at 9:22.

The Crushers gave themselves a bit of breathing room with Zach Thompson converting a Nile Cyr feed at 11:05, but Christian Watts fired an Eddie Renaud pass just 0:55 seconds later.  

The Merchants tied the game when Zac Carrigan finished a John Wheller pass in transition at 13:00, then potted the game winner with only 0:34 seconds left with Darren Elliott scoring from in close off a Christian Watts feed. 

Final score, Brooklin 15 Clearview 14.

The Three Stars:

1. Christian Watts 
2. Cole Hanrahan 
3. Darren Elliott 

Photo Credits 📸:

Gary Groob