The Rivermen's Strong Third Period Sends Them To Victory

Written by Gary Groob  - All Lacrosse All The Time

The Brooklin Merchants (1-1) faced the Six Nations Rivermen (2-1) in the back end of the home and home series this past weekend.  Brooklin came away with a slim 12-11 victory the previous night and were hoping to build on their momentum. 

The goalie match-up had Ryan Schuetzkowski in net for Brooklin facing Dusty Hill in net for Six Nations. 

Led by Layne Smith (5g,1a) and Wes Whitlow (4g,5a) the Rivermen put together a balanced attack outlasting the Merchants 19-16 on this evening.  Smith put the team on his back scoring four times in the third period to lift his team to the come from behind victory.

The Brooklin squad also put together another big night led by Devin Pipher (4g,4a), Parker Pipher (3g,3a) and Nikolai Farrus (3g,0a).

To The Game:

The Merchants opened the scoring with Parker Pipher converting an Eddie Renaud pass at 1:56, but was answered quickly by Wes Whitlow blasting a Riley Miller feed past Ryan Schuetzkowski at 2:27.

Six Nations grabbed their first lead of the evening when Layne Smith scored off a Danton Miller pass at 7:16, but Devin Pipher tied the game finishing his brother Parker's pass at 10:05.

After trading goals, Brooklin grabbed the lead with Kellen Pulera finishing an Eddie Renaud feed at 12:33, followed by Renaud himself scoring off a Quinn Hyland pass at 14:48.  Then opening up a three goal lead with Devin Pipher converting a Ciaron Costello pass in transition at 15:44.

The Rivermen fought back with Danton Miller and Wes Whitlow scoring, to bring this to a one goal game.  Nikolai Farrus then scored with 0:32 seconds left to increase the Merchants lead to two goals at the break.

After one period, Brooklin 7 Six Nations 5.

Second Period:

The Rivermen brought the game within one once again, with Oakley Thomas finishing a Wes Whitlow pass at 2:37, but Devin Pipher answered with his third of the night off an Eddie Renaud pass at 7:06.  

Thomas added his second of the game at 7:14, followed by Mason Hill tying the game at 8:28.  Nikolai Farrus regained Brooklin's lead converting an Eddie Renaud feed at 8:47.

Six Nations kept battling with Wes Whitlow converting a Ross Hill pass at 9:28 to tie the game, but two goals in 0:22 seconds gave Brooklin a cushion once more.  The Rivermen got within one again when Mason Hill scored his second of the game, but Kellon Pulera's second of the game kept the lead at two heading to the intermission. 

After two periods, Brooklin 12 Six Nations 10.

Third Period:

As has been their "modus operandi" this season so far, the Rivermen save their best for last, and this game was no exception.  Scoring nine goals in the final period, while holding the Merchants to just four snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

Six Nations started the third period putting together a six goal run.  Layne Smith started the onslaught converting a Wes Whitlow pass at 1:02, followed by Danton Miller finishing a Jordan Goddard pass at 3:44. Then K. General, and Ross Hill scored just 0:25 seconds apart, followed by Layne Smith converting a Ross Hill feed at 4:26.  Mason Hill then increased the lead to four goals blasting a Ross Hill feed at 10:38.

Devin Pipher finally stopped the bleeding converting a Parker Pipher pass at 12:03, followed by Parker scoring off an Eddie Renaud pass at 13:19.

Layne Smith added his fourth of the night at 14:56, but was answered by Devin Pipher with his fifth of the night at 15:40.  

The Merchants fought to get within one goal when Nikolai Farrus scored his third of the night off a Devin Pipher pass at 16:11, but goals by Layne Smith, then Wes Whitlow with just 0:42 seconds left sealed the outcome of this game.

Final score, Six Nations 19 Brooklin 16.

The Three Stars:

1. Layne Smith 
2. Devin Pipher 
3. Wes Whitlow