The Rivermen Earn Berth In The 2024 President's Cup With Late Game Four Victory

 Written by Gary Groob  - All Lacrosse All The Time

The Six Nations Chiefs traveled east to Whitby, Ontario to face the Brooklin Merchants at the Iroquois Park Sports Complex for game four of the Ontario Series Lacrosse finals. 

Six Nations could close out the series with a victory in this game.  Game three saw Zach Herrewyers (4g,2a) and Sam LeClair (3g,3a) take over with six points each for the Rivermen.  Six Nations got up 7-1 before Brooklin was able to get moving, but it was too deep a hole to get out of.

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

A game that went back and forth all night didn't have a clear victor until the final two minutes.  With Brooklin up 7-6 with under three minutes to go, this series looked like it was heading to a deciding game five.

The Rivermen put together two goals in 0:28 seconds late in the third to dash the hopes of the Merchants, winning 8-7 and winning the Ontario Series Lacrosse 2024 championship. 

Photo courtesy of Six Nations Rivermen 

To The Game:

A defensive gem for almost fifteen minutes to start the game would dictate how this game would be played.

Adam Perroni broke the 0-0 tie with a goal in transition off a Christian Watts pass at 14:24, but Wes Whitlow tied the game with a low to low laser off a Zane Dalpe pass at 15:13.

After one period, Six Nations 1 Brooklin 1.

Second Period:

The Rivermen came out on a mission in the second period scoring twice.  Danton Miller opened the scoring with a finesse shot from in close off a Sam LeClair pass at 2:05, followed by Zach Herrewyers with a blast off a Brooker Muir pass at 8:05 shorthanded. 

Brooklin came back with Devon Pipher scoring on the power-play off a Zac Carrigan pass at 10:57, followed by Jacob Hickey also scoring on the power-play tying the game at 13:23.

Brooklin's special teams continued to work for them with Jacob Hickey scoring his second of the game, this time shorthanded off a Ben MacDonnell pass at 19:29 to take the lead.

After two periods, Brooklin 4 Six Nations 3.

Third Period:

Special teams continued to play a huge part in this period.

Ross Hill tied the game once again for the Rivermen with a sidearm snipe off a Danton Miller pass shorthanded at 2:41, but Jacob Hickey's third of the game on the power-play gave the lead back to the Merchants at 3:39

Parker Pipher gave Brooklin a two goal lead with a low to low shot from the outside off a Kellen Pulera pass on the power-play at 4:37, but a shorthanded goal from Danton Miller, and an even strength goal from Sam LeClair tied the game at 12:09.

Lucas Coote came in the Brooklin net for Deacan Knott.

Adam Perroni gave the Merchants the lead converting a long lead pass from Coote at 13:02 sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

Zach Herrewyers tied the game off a Zane Dalpe feed at 17:21, and then while on the power-play Rodd Squire blasted an Oakley Thomas pass to the far corner 0:28 seconds later to give the Rivermen the lead for good.

Final score, Six Nations 8, Brooklin 7.

The Three Stars:

1. Danton Miller 2. Jacob Hickey 3. Zach Herrewyers 

The Six Nations Rivermen are the 2024 Ontario Series Lacrosse champions. 

Photo courtesy of Six Nations Rivermen